Presentation Of Film Adaptations Of Shakespeare’s Plays - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 12 Academic Listening Test 4 · Part 3 · Questions 21–30
Audio
Questions
Questions 21–24 Table Completion
Complete the table below.
Write ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.
Presentation of film adaptations of Shakespeare’s plays
| Stages of presentation | Work still to be done |
| Introduce Giannetti’s book containing a 21 of adaptations | Organise notes |
| Ask class to suggest the 22 adaptations | No further work needed |
| Present Rachel Malchow’s ideas | Prepare some 23 |
| Discuss relationship between adaptations and 24 at the time of making the film | No further work needed |
Questions 25–30 Matching
What do the speakers say about each of the following films?
Choose SIX answers from the box and write the correct letter, A-G, next to questions.
Comments
A clearly shows the historical period
B contains only parts of the play
C is too similar to another kind of film
D turned out to be unpopular with audiences
E presents the play in a different period from the original
F sets the original in a different country
G incorporates a variety of art forms
Films
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q21 | classification | So I thought I’d start with Giannetti, who’s professor of film and literature, and in one of his books he came up with a straightforward classification of film adaptations based on how faithful they are to the original plays and novels. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript mentions a book by Giannetti, a professor who has created a simple way of categorizing film adaptations based on how closely they follow the original works. Answer Explanation: The answer 'classification' refers to the act of categorizing or organizing something into groups or classes based on specific criteria. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'classification' because in the excerpt, Giannetti is mentioned to provide a classification of film adaptations based on their faithfulness to the original works. 'Classification' fits perfectly in the context of organizing and categorizing different types of film adaptations. |
| Q22 | worst | I thought that next I’d ask the class to come up with the worst examples of Shakespeare adaptations that they’ve seen, and to say why. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript talks about asking the class to share the worst Shakespeare adaptations they have seen and explain why they consider them the worst. Answer Explanation: The answer 'worst' is referring to the examples of Shakespeare adaptations that are considered the poorest or least successful. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is appropriate because it directly relates to asking about the least favorable examples of Shakespeare adaptations, which aligns with the concept of asking students to identify the worst adaptations they have seen. |
| Q23 | slides | OK, well, I’d better do some slides instead, saying how various films relate to what she says. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that the speaker is going to make slides to show how movies are related to Rachel Malchow's ideas. Answer Explanation: The answer 'slides' means pictures or images that are shown one after another on a screen. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'slides' because the excerpt says that the speaker will make 'slides' to present Rachel Malchow's ideas. The speaker is preparing for a presentation and 'slides' are a common way to present information. |
| Q24 | issues | Next I want to say something about how plays may be chosen for adaptation because they’re concerned with issues of the time when the film is made. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that plays are chosen to be adapted into films because they are related to important topics that people care about at the time the movie is made. Answer Explanation: The answer "issues" means the important topics that people are thinking about. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer "issues" is right because the excerpt explains that plays are chosen for adaptation because they connect to the important topics or 'issues' of the time when the movie is made. |
| Q25 | F | It was a very loose adaptation, using the same situation and story, but moving it to 16th century Japan instead of 16th century Britain. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript talks about a film that is based on a play but set in a different country and time period compared to the original play. Answer Explanation: The answer 'F' suggests that the film 'Ran' sets the original play in a different country from the original. Reason For Correctness: The excerpt specifically mentions that 'Ran' moves the story from its original setting in Britain to 16th century Japan, which aligns with the idea that the film sets the original in a different country, making answer choice 'F' the correct match. |
| Q26 | A | And I think filming it in Italy, where the play is set, makes you see what life was like at the time of the play. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript mentions that filming the movie in Italy, where the play takes place, helps viewers understand the time period in which the play is set. Answer Explanation: The answer indicates that the film clearly shows the historical period in which the story is set. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'A' because the excerpt explicitly states that filming in Italy allows viewers to see what life was like during the time of the play, indicating that the film accurately portrays the historical period. |
| Q27 | E | Er, next, I thought Romeo & Juliet, the 1996 film, which moves the action into the present day. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript mentions a film version of Romeo & Juliet from 1996 that changes the time period of the original story to modern times. Answer Explanation: The answer choice 'E' means that the film presents the play in a different period from the original. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'E' because the excerpt states that the 1996 film version of Romeo & Juliet moves the action into the present day, showing that it presents the play in a different period from the original setting of the story. |
| Q28 | C | Yes, but I’ve picked the 1996 film of Hamlet. It included every line of the text, but it’s more like a typical action hero movie | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript mentions a film of Hamlet from 1996 that stays true to the play by including every line of the text. However, it describes the film as being more like a typical action hero movie. Answer Explanation: The answer choice 'C' suggests that the film is too similar to another kind of film. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer 'C' is supported by the excerpt as it indicates that the film of Hamlet deviates from the traditional presentation of the play by resembling a typical action hero movie, making it similar to another kind of film rather than a faithful adaptation of the original play. |
| Q29 | G | Then there’s Prospero’s Books, based on The Tempest. That was really innovative, from a stylistic point of view. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that the film called 'Prospero's Books' was very creative in terms of the way it was made. Answer Explanation: The answer 'G' means that the film includes different types of art, like music, acting, and pictures. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'G' because the excerpt says the film 'Prospero's Books' was 'innovative' in its 'style'. This means it used a new and interesting way to make the film, which is like using different kinds of art. |
| Q30 | B | Yes, it did. I also want to mention Looking for Richard. Did you ever see it? | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript mentions the film 'Looking for Richard'. Answer Explanation: The answer indicates that the film contains only parts of the play. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'B' because the film 'Looking for Richard' is a documentary that includes partial scenes and explorations of Shakespeare's play 'Richard III' rather than a full adaptation of the entire play. |
Transcript
KATIE: Joe, you know I’m giving a presentation in our film studies class next week?
JOE: Yes.
KATIE: Well, could we discuss it? I could do with getting someone else’s opinion.
JOE: Of course, Katie. What are you going to talk about?
KATIE: It’s about film adaptations of Shakespeare’s plays. I’ve got very interested in all the different approaches that film directors take.
JOE: Uhuh.
KATIE: So I thought I’d start with Giannetti, who’s professor of film and literature, and in one of his books he came up with a straightforward classification of film adaptations based on how faithful they are to the original plays and novels.
JOE: Right.
KATIE: I’ve already made some notes on that, so I just need to sort those out before the presentation. I thought that next I’d ask the class to come up with the worst examples of Shakespeare adaptations that they’ve seen, and to say why. That should be more fun than having their favourite versions.
JOE: Yes, I can certainly think of a couple!
KATIE: Right. Next I want to talk about Rachel Malchow. I came across something on the internet about her work on film adaptations, and I was thinking of showing some film clips to illustrate her ideas.
JOE: Will you have enough time, though? Both to prepare and during the presentation? After all, I doubt if you’ll be able to find all the clips you want.
KATIE: Hmm. Perhaps you’re right. OK, well, I’d better do some slides instead, saying how various films relate to what she says. That should encourage discussion.
JOE: Mmm.
KATIE: Next I want to say something about how plays may be chosen for adaptation because they’re concerned with issues of the time when the film is made.
JOE: You mean things like patriotism, or the role of governments?
KATIE: Exactly. It’s quite tricky, but I’ve got a few ideas I’d like to discuss.
———————
KATIE: And finally I want to talk about a few adaptations that I think illustrate a range of approaches, and make some comments on them. Do you know the Japanese film Ran?
JOE: I haven’t seen it. It was based on Shakespeare’s King Lear, wasn’t it?
KATIE: That’s right. It was a very loose adaptation, using the same situation and story, but moving it to 16th century Japan instead of 16th century Britain. So for example the king’s daughters become sons, because in Japanese culture at that time, women couldn’t succeed to the throne.
JOE: OK. I hope you’re going to talk about the 1993 film of Much Ado About Nothing. I think that’s one of the best Shakespeare films. It really brings the play to life, doesn’t it?
KATIE: Yes, I agree. And I think filming it in Italy, where the play is set, makes you see what life was like at the time of the play.
JOE: Absolutely. Right, what’s next?
KATIE: Er, next, I thought Romeo & Juliet, the 1996 film, which moves the action into the present day.
JOE: Yes, it worked really well, I thought – changing the two feuding families in the original to two competing business empires, even though they’re speaking in the English of the original play.
KATIE: You’d expect it would sound really bizarre, but I found I soon got used to it.
JOE: Me too.
KATIE: Then I thought I’d include a real Hollywood film, one that’s intended to appeal to a mass commercial audience.
JOE: There must be quite a number of those.
KATIE: Yes, but I’ve picked the 1996 film of Hamlet. It included every line of the text, but it’s more like a typical action hero movie – there are loads of special effects, but no unifying interpretation of the play.
JOE: All show and no substance.
KATIE: Exactly. Then there’s Prospero’s Books, based on The Tempest. That was really innovative, from a stylistic point of view.
JOE: Didn’t it include dance and singing and animation, as well as live actors?
KATIE: Yes, it did. I also want to mention Looking for Richard. Did you ever see it?
JOE: No, but I’ve read about it. It was a blend of a documentary with a few scenes from Richard III, wasn’t it?
KATIE: That’s right. It’s more a way of looking into how people nowadays connect with the playwright – the play is really just the starting point. And that’ll be where I finish.
JOE: Well, it sounds as though it’ll be very interesting.