Research On University Waste - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From IELTS Recent Actual Test 6 Academic Listening Test 6 · Part 3 · Questions 21–30
Audio
Questions
Questions 21–25 One Choice
Choose the correct letter, A, B, or C.
Questions 26–30 Flow Chart Completion
Complete the flowchart.
Write ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.
Procedure to Reduce Copying Waste
26 that the staff do double-sided copying.
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Unwanted copies are 27 into a special recycling tray.
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28 these clearly, for easy reuse.
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Stack them in a special copying tray each morning.
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29 codes which allow each user to access this tray.
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Give highest users a 30 (e.g. cinema tickets).
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q21 | C | It was the cleaners, surprisingly, who revealed the most relevant facts | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that the cleaners gave Nicole the most useful information (relevant facts) compared to the other groups she interviewed. Answer Explanation: The answer is the cleaners. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because Nicole explicitly states that the cleaners provided the most useful and important information for her research. She mentions interviewing staff and students, but says the cleaners were the ones who shared the 'most relevant facts.' Frank agrees, noting that because cleaners empty the waste bins, they have the best direct knowledge of what is being thrown away. |
| Q22 | A | However, across the university in general, it was paper copying that filled up most bins, far more than plastic, or other forms of waste | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that in most places at the school, the biggest amount of trash in the bins was paper used for copying. This was more common than plastic or other things people throw away. Answer Explanation: The answer is the paper used for making copies. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because Nicole found that throughout the entire university, copying paper was the item that filled the most trash cans. She mentions that there was much more of this type of paper waste than plastic or any other kind of trash. |
| Q23 | B | Out of all the people I interviewed, well over half, maybe about 55% of them, were quite honest about it, telling me that they had little concern. The other fraction, 45%, were more troubled | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that 55% of the students and staff did not care much about university waste, while the remaining 45% were the ones who expressed concern or felt 'troubled' by it. Answer Explanation: The answer is 45%. This is the percentage of people who said they felt worried or concerned about waste. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because Nicole shares her interview results. She notes that 55% of the people were honest about having 'little concern' (they didn't care much). The rest of the people, which she identifies as the 'other fraction' of 45%, were 'more troubled.' In this context, being 'troubled' means the same thing as being concerned. |
| Q24 | C | About 10% bring their own cups to the cafeteria, for example, and at least one third said they use recycling bins, so, in total, it’s an equal split between those who do something, or those who don’t | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that after adding the different ways people help, the total number of people who take action is exactly the same as the number of people who do nothing. This means half of the group acts. Answer Explanation: The answer means that 50% of the people say they do something to help fix the waste problem. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is one half because Nicole uses the term 'equal split' when talking about the total results. She mentions that 10% of students bring their own cups and about one third use recycling bins. When she combines these groups, she says there is an 'equal split' between people who 'do something' and people who do not. In English, an 'equal split' means the total is divided into two even parts, so 50%, or one half, take action. |
| Q25 | C | If they knew what to do, and if stringent systems existed, or if the importance of this was made clearer to them, I’m sure you’d see a much larger percentage of people actively working towards helping our environment | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that if people were told exactly what to do or if they understood why saving the environment is important, more people would definitely try to help. This means that right now, they don't have enough clear information. Answer Explanation: The answer means Nicole thinks people don't help because they do not have enough information or do not know what they should do. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because Nicole believes that most people actually do care about the environment, but they don't act because they lack knowledge. While she mentions laziness, she says it is only a 'small' reason. Instead, she points out that people would help much more if they 'knew what to do' or if the 'importance... was made clearer.' This shows that being uninformed is the main reason for their inaction. |
| Q26 | ensure | Ah obviously, for a start, we’ve got to ensure that people, including the staff, without exception, copy both sides of a page | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Frank saying that the first thing they need to do is make sure that everyone uses both sides of a paper when they copy things. Answer Explanation: The answer 'ensure' means to make sure that something definitely happens or is done. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'ensure' because it is the first step Frank suggests to reduce paper waste. He explains that they must make sure that everyone, including the university staff, uses both sides of the paper when making copies. In the transcript, Frank uses the word 'ensure' to describe this action. |
| Q27 | deposited | But as people are doing copying, there may be adjustments, and practice copying, producing single-sided copies or blank pages not wanted and not intended for use. These need to be deposited into a tray for intended recycling —you know, for recopying onto the blank side of the page | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that pages that are not needed should be placed (deposited) into a tray so they can be recycled or used for more copying later. Answer Explanation: The answer "deposited" means to put or place something inside a container or a specific spot. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "deposited" because Frank explains a plan to stop wasting paper while photocopying. He says that when people make mistakes or have extra single-sided pages, those unwanted copies should be put into a tray to be used again. He specifically uses the word "deposited" to describe placing the paper in that tray. |
| Q28 | display | Yeah, I agree with you, which is why you need to display these papers right in front of everyone, with a clear sign, ‘Please Reuse’, to make it easy for them to do so | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that Frank wants the papers to be shown clearly (“display”) with a sign. This is done so that people can easily see the paper and reuse it. Answer Explanation: The answer "display" means to put the recycled papers in a visible place so that everyone can see them clearly. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "display" because Frank suggests putting the unwanted papers in a place where people can easily see them. He says it is important to show these papers with a clear sign that says "Please Reuse." This action makes it simpler for others to find and use old paper again. In this context, "display" is used as a verb meaning to show something in a public or easy-to-see spot. |
| Q29 | distribute | That’s why you allow everyone to select this tray when copying. You distribute numbers or codes to every person, giving them special access to this recycling tray | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the university should give out (distribute) numbers or codes to all the staff members. These codes are necessary because they let the staff enter the system and use the specific paper tray mentioned in the flowchart. Answer Explanation: The answer "distribute" means to hand out or give something to a group of people so that each person gets one. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "distribute" because Frank describes a plan where everyone is given a specific number or code to use. This word identifies the action of giving these codes to people so they can have "access" to the recycling tray. In the transcript, Frank specifically uses the word "distribute" right before mentioning the "numbers or codes" used in the flowchart. |
| Q30 | reward | Because the person who does the most copying from this recycling tray gets, say, a cinema pass, or lottery ticket, or some other sort of reward | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that Frank wants to give a prize, such as a movie ticket or a "reward", to the person who uses the most recycled paper from the special tray. Answer Explanation: The answer "reward" refers to a special gift or prize given to a person because they did something good or followed a suggestion. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "reward" because at the end of the discussion, Frank suggests a way to get people to use recycled paper. He proposes giving a prize, like a cinema pass or lottery ticket, to the person who uses the recycling tray the most. He uses the specific word "reward" to describe these prizes. |
Transcript
You will hear two students, Frank and Nicole, discussing their research on university waste.
Frank: Hi, Nicole. As you know, we’ve got to decide on the best ways this university can reduce its waste. You inspected the eastern campus, and I did the western buildings. Did you do all the interviews as well?
Nicole: Yes, I interviewed all the staff, who made some good observations, and I interviewed some of the students. The students said little that was interesting. They don’t seem to care that much. It was the cleaners, surprisingly, who revealed the most relevant facts.
Frank: That’s not surprising to me. They empty all the bins, so they see the waste first-hand, whereas the staff just throw things away without thinking. What item was most commonly disposed of?
Nicole: Well, it really depended on where I interviewed. In the cafeteria precinct, obviously paper plates and cups were thrown away all over the place. There was almost no attempt at recycling. However, across the university in general, it was paper copying that filled up most bins, far more than plastic, or other forms of waste.
Frank: Do people care about this, then?
Nicole: Well, some do, if you can believe them. I must have interviewed about 30% of customers in the cafeteria, and the results were mixed. Out of all the people I interviewed, well over half, maybe about 55% of them, were quite honest about it, telling me that they had little concern. The other fraction, 45%, were more troubled.
Frank: Yes, but do they do anything about it?
Nicole: Surprisingly, quite a significant percentage do do something, even if they aren’t particularly concerned. I mean, small things. About 10% bring their own cups to the cafeteria, for example, and at least one third said they use recycling bins, so, in total, it’s an equal split between those who do something, or those who don’t.
Frank: So why do so many people remain inactive, particularly over an issue they should care about more?
Nicole: I think they do care, and many of them are prepared to do something. Obviously, there’s an element of laziness, but I’d say that it’s relatively small. If they knew what to do, and if stringent systems existed, or if the importance of this was made clearer to them, I’m sure you’d see a much larger percentage of people actively working towards helping our environment.
Frank: Well, there’s cause for optimism, at least. Clearly then, there’s a significant waste of paper here at this university, so I’ve worked out one practical suggestion which could help reduce it —specifically, the waste from the excess photocopying.
Nicole: Let me hear it, then.
Frank: Ah obviously, for a start, we’ve got to ensure that people, including the staff, without exception, copy both sides of a page. We can’t tolerate single-sided copying. It’s just far too wasteful.
Nicole: Absolutely. Just more trees being chopped down.
Frank: But as people are doing copying, there may be adjustments, and practice copying, producing single-sided copies or blank pages not wanted and not intended for use. These need to be deposited into a tray for intended recycling —you know, for recopying onto the blank side of the page.
Nicole: But people don’t usually do that. I’m afraid it’s just human nature. No matter how unimportant the copying is, they prefer to use fresh paper.
Frank: Yeah, I agree with you, which is why you need to display these papers right in front of everyone, with a clear sign, ‘Please Reuse’, to make it easy for them to do so.
Nicole: They still won’t do it.
Frank: I know. That’s why you take some of these papers, and regularly stack them inside the copier, in a special tray, once a day—say, in the morning.
Nicole: Well, that’s getting better, making it easier for them to use the paper, but still, I’m afraid many won’t.
Frank: That’s why you allow everyone to select this tray when copying. You distribute numbers or codes to every person, giving them special access to this recycling tray. Every time they use papers from this, it’s tallied up to their account.
Nicole: I know I’m sounding a bit negative ... or even cynical here ... but why should they bother using that tray?
Frank: Because the person who does the most copying from this recycling tray gets, say, a cinema pass, or lottery ticket, or some other sort of reward.
Nicole: Ah, right! Now that’s a system which might just work. Let’s trial it in the office and see what happens.