Presentation About Refrigeration - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 15 Academic Listening Test 4 · Part 3 · Questions 21–30
Audio
Questions
Questions 21–24 Multiple Choice (One Answer)
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Presentation about refrigeration
Questions 25–30 Matching
Who is going to do research into each topic?
Write the correct letter, A, B or C, next to Questions.
People
A Annie
B Jack
C both Annie and Jack
Topics
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q21 | B | But I didn’t realise that insulating the blocks with straw or sawdust meant they didn’t melt for months. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript is saying that by insulating the blocks of ice with straw or sawdust, they were able to keep the ice frozen without it melting for months. Answer Explanation: The answer is talking about how the ice in the icehouses was kept frozen. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'B' because the excerpt mentions that insulating the ice blocks with straw or sawdust prevented them from melting for months, highlighting the method used to keep the ice frozen in the icehouses. |
| Q22 | A | Both the ice and the snow were then sold. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript mentions that both the ice and snow were sold. Answer Explanation: The answer indicates that refrigeration in ancient Rome became a commercial business. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the excerpt directly supports this point by stating that the ice and snow, which were likely used for refrigeration, were sold. This implies a commercial aspect to refrigeration in ancient Rome. |
| Q23 | B | It’s hard to see how they can be stopped unfortunately. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript suggests that it is difficult to prevent certain actions from happening, unfortunately. Answer Explanation: The answer indicates that both Annie and Jack are worried about the fact that some refrigerators are disposed of irresponsibly. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'B' because the excerpt implies a sense of helplessness in preventing irresponsible disposal of refrigerators, aligning with the concern expressed in choice B about refrigerators being disposed of irresponsibly. |
| Q24 | A | So if you divide the cost by the number of years you can use a fridge, they’re not expensive, compared with some household appliances. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript is saying that when you calculate the cost of a fridge over the number of years you can use it, it is not expensive compared to some other household appliances. Answer Explanation: The answer means that Jack and Annie agree that domestic fridges are generally good value for money. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'A' because Jack and Annie believe that when you consider the cost of a fridge over its useful lifespan, they are actually not expensive, making them good value for money as stated in the excerpt. |
| Q25 | A | the range of goods that are refrigerated nowadays? | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript is talking about the range of goods that need to be kept in a refrigerator. Answer Explanation: The answer choice 'A' means that Annie will do the research on the topic discussed. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'A' because the question specifically asks about goods that are refrigerated, and Annie is the one assigned to research this topic. Since the focus is on refrigerated goods, which falls under Annie's area of responsibility, she will be the one conducting the research. |
| Q26 | A | What about the effects of refrigeration on people’s health? | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript talks about how refrigeration affects people's health. Answer Explanation: The answer indicates that Annie is going to do research on the effects of refrigeration on people's health. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the question asks specifically about the effects on health, and Annie is the one who is assigned to research this topic according to the answer key provided. |
| Q27 | B | Oh, all right then, I’ll do you a favour. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript suggests that the speaker is reluctantly agreeing to help with something. Answer Explanation: The answer indicates that Jack will be the one doing research on the impact on food producers. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'B' because in the excerpt, the speaker, Jack, is the one agreeing to 'do a favour,' implying he will be the one conducting research on the specified topic. |
| Q28 | B | I think we should also look at how refrigeration has helped whole cities | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript mentions that refrigeration has helped entire cities. Answer Explanation: The answer indicates that Jack is the one who will be doing research on the impact on cities. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because in the excerpt, the focus is on how refrigeration has had an impact on cities, which suggests that Jack should be the one to research this topic specifically. |
| Q29 | A | Then there’s transport, and the difference that refrigerated trucks have made. I wouldn’t mind having a go at that. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript mentions transport and specifically talks about how refrigerated trucks have made a difference. The speaker is interested in learning more about this topic. Answer Explanation: The answer indicates that Annie is going to do research into refrigerated transport. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'A' because the speaker in the excerpt expressed interest in having a go at learning more about refrigerated transport. Since Annie is mentioned and shows interest in this topic, she is the one who will be researching it. |
| Q30 | C | Shall we have a separate section on domestic fridges? | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript is asking if there should be a specific section discussing domestic fridges. Answer Explanation: The answer means both Annie and Jack will do research into domestic fridges. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the excerpt suggests considering a separate section for domestic fridges, which implies that both Annie and Jack will be involved in researching this topic. |
Transcript
ANNIE: OK, Jack. Before we plan our presentation about refrigeration, let’s discuss what we’ve discovered so far.
JACK: Fine, Annie. Though I have to admit I haven’t done much research yet.
ANNIE: Nor me. But I found an interesting article about icehouses. I’d been some 18th- and 19th-century ones here in the UK, so I knew they were often built in a shady area or underground, close to lakes that might freeze in the winter. Then blocks of ice could be cut and stored in the icehouse. But I didn’t realise that insulating the blocks with straw or sawdust meant they didn’t melt for months. The ancient Romans had refrigeration, too.
JACK: I didn’t know that.
ANNIE: Yes, pits were dug in the ground, and snow was imported from the mountains – even though they were at quite a distance. The snow was stored in the pits. Ice formed at the bottom of it. Both the ice and the snow were then sold. The ice cost more than the snow and my guess is that only the wealthy members of society could afford it.
JACK: I wouldn’t be surprised. I also came across an article about modern domestic fridges. Several different technologies are used, but they were too complex for me to understand.
ANNIE: You have to wonder what happens when people get rid of old ones.
JACK: You mean because the gases in them are harmful for the environment?
ANNIE: Exactly. At least these are now plenty of organisations that will recycle most of the components safety, but of course some people just dump old fridges in the countryside.
JACK: It’s hard to see how they can be stopped unfortunately. In the UK we get rid of three million a year altogether!
ANNIE: That sounds a lot, especially because fridges hardly ever break down.
JACK: That’s right. In this country we keep domestic fridges for 11 years on average, and a lot last for 20 or more. So if you divide the cost by the number of years you can use a fridge, they’re not expensive, compared with some household appliances.
ANNIE: True. I suppose manufactures encourage people to spend more by making them different colours and designs. I’m sure when my parents bought their first fridge they had hardly any choice!
JACK: Yes, there’s been quite a change.
———————
JACK: Right, let’s make a list of topics to cover in our presentation, and decide who’s going to do more research on them. Then later, we can get together and plan the next step.
ANNIE: OK. How about starting with how useful refrigeration is, and the range of goods that are refrigerated nowadays? Because of course it’s not just food and drinks.
JACK: No, I suppose flowers and medicines are refrigerated, too.
ANNIE: And computers. I could do that, unless you particularly want to.
JACK: No, that’s fine by me. What about the effects of refrigeration on people’s health? After all, some of the chemicals used in the 19th century were pretty harmful, but there have been lots of benefits too, like always have access to fresh food. Do you fancy dealing with that?
ANNIE: I’m no terribly keen, to be honest.
JACK: Nor me. My mind just goes blank when I read anything about chemicals.
ANNIE: Oh, all right then, I’ll do you a favour. But you own me, Jack.
- What about the effects on food producers, like farmers in poorer countries being able to export their produce to developed countries? Something for you, maybe?
JACK: I don’t mind. It should be quite interesting.
ANNIE: I think we should also look at how refrigeration has helped whole cities – like Las Vegas, which couldn’t exist without refrigeration because it’s in the middle of a desert.
JACK: Right. I had a quick look at an economics book in the library that’s got a chapter about this sort of thing. I could give you the title, if you want to do this section.
ANNIE: Not particularly, to be honest. I find economics books pretty heavy going, as a rule.
JACK: OK, leave it to me, then.
ANNIE: Thanks. Then there’s transport, and the difference that refrigerated trucks have made. I wouldn’t mind having a go at that.
JACK: Don’t forget trains, too. I read something about milk and butter being transported in refrigerated railroad cars in the USA, right back in the 1840s.
ANNIE: I hadn’t thought of trains. Thanks.
JACK: Shall we have a separate section on domestic fridges? After all, they’re something everyone’s familiar with.
ANNIE: What about splitting it into two? You could investigate 19th- and 20th-century fridges, and I’ll concentrate on what’s available these days, and how manufacturers differentiate their products from those of their competitors.
JACK: OK, that’d suit me.