Research About Different Energy-Saving Innovations - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From IELTS Recent Actual Test 4 Academic Listening Test 3 · Part 3 · Questions 21–30
Audio
Questions
Questions 21–23 Table Completion
Complete the table below.
Write ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.
Research about different energy-saving innovations
| Kites in Germany | used in different 21 conditions to reduce the emission of toxic gas |
| Vehicles in America | powered by 22 |
| Gas canister in South Africa | invented to reduce its chances to 23 |
Questions 24–25 Multiple Choice (Two Answers)
Choose TWO letters, A-E.
Questions 26–30 Multiple Choice (One Answer)
Choose the correct letter, A, B, or C.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q21 | weather | the power-generating kites can function in any weather | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that the kites used to create electricity can work regardless of what the weather is like. Answer Explanation: The answer means the conditions outside, such as sun, rain, or wind. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'weather' because Syria explains that a German company is using kites to create clean energy. She mentions that these kites can work in 'any weather', which matches the phrase 'different conditions' in the table. This innovation is meant to replace fossil fuels that produce toxic gas. |
| Q22 | electricity | There is an American company manufacturing school buses and city buses depending solely on electricity instead of gasoline | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that a company in America is making school and city buses that work only with electricity and do not use gas. Answer Explanation: The answer highlights that the American company makes buses that use electric power instead of gas. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is identified because Greg mentions an American company that creates buses that run only on electricity. To 'power' a vehicle means to give it the energy it needs to move. In this case, instead of using gasoline (fuel), these buses use electricity to function. |
| Q23 | explode | To reduce the number of kitchen accidents, a new type of composite gas canister made of fiber was introduced. It is much safer and less likely to explode even when engulfed in fire | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that a new type of gas container was made to keep kitchens safer. It is designed so that it will likely not blow up, even if it is surrounded by fire. Answer Explanation: The answer "explode" refers to a dangerous event where a container bursts or blows up suddenly. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is supported by the part of the conversation where Greg talks about a new kind of gas canister used in South Africa. He explains that these special containers were made to be much safer than old ones because they have a lower chance of blowing up or bursting, even if they are caught in a fire. This makes them better for home use and helps prevent accidents. |
| Q24 | — | — | |
| Q25 | C / E | I guess the students here at the university would be more suitable. Syria: You're right. And it is a much bigger sample pool too. Also, I think we should include the locals. Their opinion is key to the promotion of renewable energy here in the town. Greg: But wouldn't it be difficult to collect data? There's no way the two of us could go from door to door to interview all the residents. Syria: There's no need to worry about that. We'll make it telephone interviews. That way we'll have enough time to get sufficient data. Greg: Good idea | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Greg and Syria agreeing to interview university students and local people. They plan to talk to the local residents over the phone to save time and collect enough information. Answer Explanation: The answer shows that the two groups chosen for the survey are local residents and university students. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is local residents and university students because Greg and Syria discuss and reject other groups. They decide that corporate employees, professors, and administrative staff are not good choices because they might be too busy or unwilling to participate. They agree that students are a better choice because there are many of them ('sample pool'), and they also decide to include 'locals' (local residents) by calling them on the phone. |
| Q26 | A | Due to lack of media coverage, the majority of people actually have a limited understanding on renewable energy. Most of them aren't able to identify various types of renewable sources | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that because the news does not report on this topic often, most people do not know much about clean energy. It also mentions that most people cannot recognize the different ways we get this type of energy. Answer Explanation: The answer means that large numbers of people do not have much knowledge about clean or natural energy. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because Syria explains that the public does not know very much about energy that comes from natural sources. She uses the phrase 'limited understanding' to show that their knowledge is small. She also says they cannot 'identify' or tell the difference between the different kinds of clean energy. This lack of knowledge is caused by not enough 'media coverage,' meaning the news does not talk about it very much. |
| Q27 | B | The windmills today generate electricity. The only problem is that it might not be windy all the time, so it is crucial to choose the appropriate site for wind farms | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that modern windmills are used to make electricity, but since the wind does not blow all the time, it is very important to pick the best spot to build them. Answer Explanation: The answer means that people must be careful when picking the place to build modern wind farms. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is supported by Greg's comment about wind energy today. He explains that because wind is not always blowing, it is very important (crucial) to find the right location (appropriate site) for them. This matches the idea of choosing the location carefully. Choices A and C are incorrect because they describe what was done with windmills in the past, whereas modern ones are used for electricity. |
| Q28 | B | Maybe we can look into the prospect of these conventional sources of energy | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Greg suggesting that they investigate the future outlook or possibilities for traditional energy sources. Answer Explanation: The answer means that Syria and Greg plan to talk about what will likely happen to old energy sources, like oil and coal, in the future. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because Greg suggests studying the "prospect" of conventional (traditional) energy sources. The word "prospect" refers to the possibility or likelihood of something happening in the future. Syria agrees and notes that these resources will eventually "deplete," which means they will run out. These points show that their discussion will focus on the future status of traditional fuels. |
| Q29 | C | Nuclear power plants can produce dependable power constantly and release far less greenhouse gases than other traditional power plants. But most people feel that this type of energy is unsafe because radiation isn't easily dealt with, especially in nuclear waste and maintenance materials | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that even though nuclear plants produce reliable power with less pollution, the majority of people think they are dangerous. This is because they are worried about the radiation from the power plant waste. Answer Explanation: The answer C means that only a very small number of people believe that nuclear power plants are safe. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because Greg says that most people feel nuclear energy is unsafe. When most people feel a certain way (that it is dangerous), it implies that only 'few' people think the opposite (that it is safe). He explains that the main worry is radiation, which comes from nuclear waste and is very difficult to handle. While he mentions they are cleaner than traditional plants (releasing fewer greenhouse gases), the focus of the public's concern is safety. |
| Q30 | A | I think that even though this new type of renewable energy is too expensive to use at the moment, in the long run, its price will go down and become more accessible | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Syria saying that even if hydrogen fuel is too costly right now, over a long period of time, the price will decrease and more people will be able to get it. Answer Explanation: The answer is A because Syria believes that the cost of hydrogen fuel will decrease in the future. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because Syria mentions that while the fuel is expensive right now, it will eventually become cheaper. The phrase 'in the long run' refers to the future or a long period of time, and 'go down' is a synonym for 'drop' or 'decrease' in price. This matches choice A perfectly. |
Transcript
Syria: Hi, Greg. How did it go with the research on renewable energy? Have you found anything?
Greg: Yes. But I think it's about time we exchange our findings and discuss our next move.
Syria: You read my mind. Right. I'll start first. Germany is the very first country I dug into in order to find innovative means of creating clean energy because 15% of its national electricity supply comes from renewable sources. I found that apart from the traditional fossil fuel industry, there's a German firm that has initiated a project using kites to generate power.
Greg: Really, I've never heard of it before. How does it work?
Syria: As a substitution for traditional fossil fuels that release toxic gas into the atmosphere, the power-generating kites can function in any weather. Compared to conventional wind turbines, such kites can produce twice as much energy because the overall power density is proportional to altitude.
Greg: Sounds like an efficient way of producing power. Okay, now let me tell you what I have found. There is an American company manufacturing school buses and city buses depending solely on electricity instead of gasoline. The all-electric vehicles can save up to 20 gallons of fuel on a daily basis. This could reduce transport budgets by over $10,000 each year, not to mention maintenance savings.
Syria: Wow, impressive. If only there were more of these electric vehicles around.
Greg: Well, over the years, South Africa has attached great importance to clean energy. The nation encourages using propane gas, which can either be extracted from natural deposits or be produced organically. It is normally stored in gas canisters as a type of cooking gas. To reduce the number of kitchen accidents, a new type of composite gas canister made of fiber was introduced. It is much safer and less likely to explode even when engulfed in fire.
Greg: Now, about the survey, do you have any clues as to what kind of interviewees we should include?
Syria: How about local companies doing business on clean energy products?
Greg: Probably not the best choice of respondents. Remember the last time we asked corporate employees to do the questionnaire, only about 5% of them were actually willing to participate.
Syria: That wouldn't be enough then. It seems we have to drop that idea. Then maybe we can ask the professors and administrative staff here to help us. They could provide their insights and understanding on energy production.
Greg: It would be ideal if they would, but I'm afraid most of them are too busy to respond to the list of questions we've prepared. I guess the students here at the university would be more suitable.
Syria: You're right. And it is a much bigger sample pool too. Also, I think we should include the locals. Their opinion is key to the promotion of renewable energy here in the town.
Greg: But wouldn't it be difficult to collect data? There's no way the two of us could go from door to door to interview all the residents.
Syria: There's no need to worry about that. We'll make it telephone interviews. That way we'll have enough time to get sufficient data.
Greg: Good idea. What should we present in our speech?
Syria: Due to lack of media coverage, the majority of people actually have a limited understanding on renewable energy. Most of them aren't able to identify various types of renewable sources. So I feel we could start by clarifying what it is and the benefit of it compared to fossil fuels.
Greg: That makes sense. We could start with wind energy. For centuries, wind has been used to do work. With the help of windmills, farmers used to pump water from wells or turn large grinding stones to grind wheat or corn. The windmills today generate electricity. The only problem is that it might not be windy all the time, so it is crucial to choose the appropriate site for wind farms.
Syria: Well, I think we can also include comparisons between clean energy and traditional energy resources like coal, oil and natural gas.
Greg: Maybe we can look into the prospect of these conventional sources of energy. The rising cost of fossil fuels and the threat of climate change is a concern to many.
Syria: Totally. These traditional resources will deplete eventually. Renewable energy currently makes up less than 2% of the world's primary energy supply, and although growing very rapidly, it is not on course to fill the fossil fuel gap.
Greg: Nuclear energy is another type of energy we ought to mention. Nuclear power plants can produce dependable power constantly and release far less greenhouse gases than other traditional power plants. But most people feel that this type of energy is unsafe because radiation isn't easily dealt with, especially in nuclear waste and maintenance materials.
Syria: What should we end the speech with?
Greg: Have you heard about a new type of energy called hydrogen fuel? It is an infinitely renewable fuel that doesn't have detrimental environmental effects. The only problem is that it is so expensive that only wealthy individuals can afford it. But I think overall the benefits overshadow its high cost.
Syria: I think that even though this new type of renewable energy is too expensive to use at the moment, in the long run, its price will go down and become more accessible.