Bill, Irene, And Jen’s Experiment - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From IELTS Recent Actual Test 5 Academic Listening Test 4 · Part 3 · Questions 21–30
Audio
Questions
Questions 21–25 Multiple Choice (One Answer)
Choose the correct letter, A, B, or C.
Questions 26–30 Matching
What task has been distributed to each person?
Choose FIVE answers from the box and write the correct letter, A-F, next to Questions 26-30.
A. Acknowledgement
B. Methodology
C. Bibliography
D. Literature review
E. Results
F. Discussion
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q21 | C | Whenever there is a little free time for me at the weekend, I'd like to spend it in the laboratory on my experiment, which almost feels like a second home to me | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that Irene likes to go to the laboratory whenever she is not busy at the weekend, making it a place where she spends most of her time. Answer Explanation: The answer means that Irene stays in the science room (the lab) for many hours to do her work. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because Irene says that she loves chemistry and uses her weekends to work in the laboratory. She uses the phrase "second home" to show that she is there very often. This means she spends a lot of her time in that place. |
| Q22 | A | He works very hard and makes significant contributions, which I really appreciate | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Bill saying that Kim puts in a lot of effort and does many important things for their project, and Bill is very happy and thankful for that help. Answer Explanation: The answer means that Bill feels thankful for the help and hard work Kim provides. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because Bill explicitly states that he values Kim's input. Although Bill was initially worried about Kim's ability in the lab, he soon discovered that Kim is 'capable' and 'hardworking.' Bill mentions that Kim 'makes significant contributions'—meaning he does a lot of important work—and says he 'really appreciates' this. These words show a feeling of gratitude or being thankful. |
| Q23 | C | Irene: It can't be too true. And I'm so pleased that we've nearly completed it! Jen: Only because you finished the data analysis | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Irene saying she is happy that their group work is almost finished. Jen responds by explaining that the reason they are so close to finishing is that Irene completed the work of analyzing the data. Answer Explanation: The answer means that Jen thinks the experiment is almost finished because Irene successfully finished the task of checking the information they collected. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because Jen directly links the progress of their experiment to Irene's work. When Irene mentions they are almost done, Jen says this is specifically because Irene finished the 'data analysis.' This shows Jen's view of Irene's contribution. Choice A is incorrect because Bill was the one who talked about the boys being good at math. Choice B is less accurate because Jen mentions that they help each other mutually rather than Irene being the sole reason they don't fail. Keywords to note are 'nearly completed,' which means almost finished, and 'data analysis,' which refers to the process of studying information. |
| Q24 | B | Yeah, though she always submitted her part of the group work on time, but she never took her phone with her, so it was unlikely for anyone to reach her and vice versa | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Jen explaining that Linda did not keep her phone with her. Because of this, it was not possible for the other group members to contact her, and she could not contact them back. Answer Explanation: The answer B means that Jen and Bill found it difficult to talk to or communicate with Linda. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because both Jen and Bill talk about how hard it was to contact Linda during their group work. Even though she finished her work on time, she never carried her phone, so no one could call or reach her. This made the group communication very frustrating. They use the word 'reach' here as a synonym for getting in touch with someone. |
| Q25 | B | Bill: Wow, really? That's amazing! Congrats! Do you know why he picked you? Jen: I thought that was because I was closer to him, but he told me he was impressed by my always completing reading assignments in time for class | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Bill asking why Jen was chosen. Jen clarifies that although she had a different guess, the professor actually chose her because he liked that she always finished her reading work before class started. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the professor chose Jen for his project because she consistently finishes the assigned readings for her lessons. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because Jen explains the specific reason the professor gave for selecting her. While Jen thought it might be because they were close (Choice C), the professor explicitly told her he was impressed by her habit of completing reading assignments on time. Choice A is incorrect because Irene only predicts Jen will be popular because of the project, not that her popularity was the reason she was chosen. |
| Q26 | B | Bill: Sure! Now, let's see. Well, Irene finds writing difficult, but that might be a good opportunity for her to practice it by reviewing the bibliography? Irene: Bibliography, I think, may be a bit too long for me, so the methodology shall be a better choice. Jen: Sure, that makes sense | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that Irene picked the methodology task herself because she felt the other option, bibliography, was too long, and Jen agreed with her choice. Answer Explanation: The answer is B, which stands for the Methodology section of the project. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because Irene chooses to do the methodology part of the project. While Bill suggests she try the bibliography to practice her writing skills, Irene feels it is too long and suggests the methodology instead. Jen agrees with this shift in tasks. |
| Q27 | E | Jen: Sure, that makes sense. Bill, you said that Kate is a hard-working girl. So I think she could be given the conclusion part, as it requires plenty of effort | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Jen suggesting that Kate should be responsible for the conclusion of the project because Kate is a hard worker and that specific part of the work is difficult. Answer Explanation: The answer E means that Kate has been assigned the task of writing the 'Results' section of the project. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is E because Jen mentions that Kate is a 'hard-working girl' and suggests that she should handle the 'conclusion part.' In academic writing tasks, the conclusion often summarizes the findings or results. Since this specific task requires 'plenty of effort,' Jen decides Kate is the best person to do it. The other team members were given different sections like the methodology or the bibliography. |
| Q28 | D | Irene: Jen, would you like to do the literature review part? Basically, there is a lot of work to do but I believe you really enjoy writing, so I think you'll do a good job. Jen: Sure, sounds great | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Irene asking Jen to handle the literature review because it involves a lot of work and Irene knows Jen likes writing. Jen says, "Sure, sounds great," which means she accepts the task. Answer Explanation: The answer is D because Jen is assigned to work on the section of the project called the literature review. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is correct because while the group is giving out jobs (distributing tasks) for the professor's project, Irene specifically asks Jen to handle the literature review. Irene knows this part requires a lot of writing and that Jen enjoys writing. Jen agrees to do it, making it her assigned task. The term 'literature review' matches option D. |
| Q29 | F | Right, so now bibliography and the discussion are left to assign. I think Linda will be struggling with the referencing, considering the amount of work. So perhaps, I will take care of that task and she could do bibliography | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that Bill notices two jobs are still empty: the bibliography and the discussion. He decides to give the bibliography to Linda, which means he will take the other job, the discussion. Answer Explanation: The answer F means that Bill is the person assigned to write the 'Discussion' section of the project. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is F because Bill identifies the final two parts of the report that need to be finished: the bibliography and the discussion. He mentions that Linda might find the detailed referencing work difficult, so he offers to handle that task (the discussion) while she takes on the bibliography. By assigning the bibliography to Linda, Bill becomes the one responsible for the discussion. |
| Q30 | C | Bill: Right, so now bibliography and the discussion are left to assign. I think Linda will be struggling with the referencing, considering the amount of work. So perhaps, I will take care of that task and she could do bibliography | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Bill making the final decision on the last two tasks, assigning the bibliography portion to Linda while he takes the discussion. Answer Explanation: The answer identifies the specific project task assigned to Linda, which is the bibliography. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because, towards the end of the conversation, Bill looks at the remaining tasks to assign. He notes that the bibliography and the discussion are the only parts left. He suggests that he will manage the difficult referencing (the discussion) and explicitly states that Linda could do the bibliography. |
Transcript
Bill: Oh, hi Jen and Irene! You two are heading to class, aren't you?
Irene: Hey Bill, yes, we are just walking there now. It's a little bit early now, though. We still would like to make some preparations for our apparatus for the experiment practice! How about walking with us, come on?
Bill: Of course, it's really great to catch up! How's it going with your experiment? Have you already chosen the subject you're going to test yet?
Jen: To be honest, so far it is going well, and we're now serving as the laboratory partners responsible for conducting the test. Also, we've decided to test the impacts of the gravitation force on a variety of objects with a number of densities.
Irene: Interesting indeed, but surely plenty of work for you to do. During the last two weeks, I've been thinking of and planning the test and eventually did it yesterday.
Bill: Goodness Irene, your hard work really left me with a deep impression.
Irene: Frankly, I'm into chemistry so much, so for me it's not very much like work. Whenever there is a little free time for me at the weekend, I'd like to spend it in the laboratory on my experiment, which almost feels like a second home to me.
Jen: What about you, Bill? Which partner are you currently working with?
Bill: Me and Kim, we were partnered by the tutor. I've never worked with him before, so I was worried at first that he wouldn't do that well in the lab work, but later it turns out he's so capable.
Irene: I've noticed that he's always very well dressed.
Bill: Yeah, we share the same tastes in clothes; he's very stylish. But that doesn't keep him from getting hands dirty. He works very hard and makes significant contributions, which I really appreciate.
Jen: Ah, it's great that you and your partner get along with each other well, which I think will bring much more pleasure to your experiments when both of you work well together.
Irene: What do you think of the other people in our group?
Bill: Most boys are really good at math, which is really helpful when it comes to calculation.
Jen: Irene is also good at math, so she contributes a lot because she can do all the equations. I am mainly responsible for all the writing parts, since she finds it difficult. Without help between our partners, we'd probably fail.
Irene: It can't be too true. And I'm so pleased that we've nearly completed it!
Jen: Only because you finished the data analysis!
Irene: Come on Jen, you give me too much credit!
Bill: I'm so happy that Linda has not been my partner again. In last experiment, Jen and I were grouped with her, which was really like a nightmare.
Jen: Yeah, though she always submitted her part of the group work on time, but she never took her phone with her, so it was unlikely for anyone to reach her and vice versa.
Bill: We were quite annoyed at her attitude, but she was such a hard worker in all fairness, because she realised the amount of work that needed to get a high score.
Irene: Jen is so hard-working in fact; she has been invited to work on the professor's individual project.
Bill: Wow, really? That's amazing! Congrats! Do you know why he picked you?
Jen: I thought that was because I was closer to him, but he told me he was impressed by my always completing reading assignments in time for class.
Irene: I bet you will be really popular between the other students when they find out. All of them want to hear about the project.
Irene: You can distribute tasks to everyone, so all of them will get the chance to be part in it.
Jen: It actually sounds quite good! Could you help me decide who to assign each task to?
Bill: Sure! Now, let's see. Well, Irene finds writing difficult, but that might be a good opportunity for her to practice it by reviewing the bibliography?
Irene: Bibliography, I think, may be a bit too long for me, so the methodology shall be a better choice.
Jen: Sure, that makes sense. Bill, you said that Kate is a hard-working girl. So I think she could be given the conclusion part, as it requires plenty of effort.
Bill: Ok, sure. And I know that Kyle hasn't been feeling well recently, so she could be tasked with the abstract and the acknowledgement for there is very little work involved.
Irene: Jen, would you like to do the literature review part? Basically, there is a lot of work to do but I believe you really enjoy writing, so I think you'll do a good job.
Jen: Sure, sounds great.
Bill: Right, so now bibliography and the discussion are left to assign. I think Linda will be struggling with the referencing, considering the amount of work. So perhaps, I will take care of that task and she could do bibliography.
Irene: That's great, guys. Thanks for your help! I'll tell the tutor when he arrives.