Charity Forward Thinking - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From IELTS Trainer 1 Academic Listening Test 3 · Part 2 · Questions 11–20
Audio
Questions
Questions 11–15 Multiple Choice (One Answer)
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Questions 16–20 Matching
Who can take part in each of the classes?
Write the correct letter A, B or C next to questions 16-20.
A. children and teenagers
B. adults
C. all ages
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q11 | C | The idea behind Forward thinking is to use the arts to promote wellbeing. The charity develops projects for people with special needs and health problems, and also delivers training to healthcare professionals in using the arts, as well as supplying them with information and advice | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that the goal of the organization is to improve health through art. It mentions that they create programs for those with medical needs and provide teaching and information to people working in healthcare. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the charity supports using art activities to help people get better or stay healthy when they have medical issues. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is correct because the text explains that the charity's mission is to use art to help people feel better (promote wellbeing). They create art projects specifically for people with health problems and they also teach medical staff (healthcare professionals) how art can be used in their work. This shows they are actively encouraging and supporting the use of art in a health setting. |
| Q12 | B | Forward thinking doesn't just run art and craft classes to distract people who are ill, or recovering from illness, but arranges longer-term projects and courses, as it's been shown that the arts can bring all sorts of positive changes in patients, including benefits such as shortening the length of stay in hospital and reducing the amounts of medicine they need | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the charity organizes long art projects. These projects lead to many good results for patients, such as spending less time in the hospital and needing less medicine. Answer Explanation: The answer means that sick people do not need to take as much medicine as they did before because of the charity's work. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because Jasmine explains that art projects can cause good changes for patients. She specifically says that these projects help by 'reducing the amounts of medicine' patients have to take. In this context, 'medicine' is another word for 'drugs', and 'reducing' means they need 'fewer' of them. While she also mentions hospital stays, she says they are shorter, not that people avoid going to the hospital entirely (which makes choice A incorrect). |
| Q13 | C | The organisation's been around since 1986, and it gradually expanded during the 1990s. Then, in the new millennium, it was decided to find a memorable name, so it's been operating as Forward thinking for several years, er, in fact since 2005 | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript talks about three different dates. It says the group began in 1986 and got bigger in the 1990s. Then it says they wanted a new name and have been using the name 'Forward thinking' since 2005. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the organization began using the name 'Forward thinking' in the year 2005. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the transcript confirms that the group has used the specific name 'Forward thinking' since 2005. Although the organization started in 1986 and grew throughout the 1990s, they only decided to find a new, memorable name in the early 2000s (the new millennium). The keyword 'operating' used with the name and the date 2005 points to this being the correct year. |
| Q14 | C | It's quite a locally based charity, mainly for people in the southern part of this region, which includes all rural and urban communities outside the city of Clifton, which has its own organisation | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the charity is for people living in the countryside and towns near Clifton, but not in the city itself. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the charity helps people living in many small towns (urban) and countryside areas (rural) around the city of Clifton. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the speaker describes the charity as being for people in the southern part of the region and mentions it helps both 'rural' (countryside/villages) and 'urban' (towns) communities. Importantly, she says it covers areas 'outside the city of Clifton,' because Clifton itself has a different group to help people there. |
| Q15 | B | It was modernised and refurbished by the present owners last year, so it's ideal for art classes and for small social events, performances, seminars and so on | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the building was recently updated and improved, so it is now a great place to hold art classes, small parties, shows, and meetings. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the Colville Centre is a place used for many different kinds of events and classes. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the transcript describes the building as a place that is 'ideal' for a variety of uses. Jasmine lists examples such as art classes, social events, performances, and seminars. This confirms it is a 'venue' (a place where events happen) for a 'range' (many different types) of 'activities.' Choice A is incorrect because it was a school in the past, and choice C is incorrect because the speaker says it was already fixed up and modernized last year. |
| Q16 | B | It's also an excellent form of exercise, according to Nina, and that class is for both men and women, of course | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the dance class is made for men and women. This shows that the class is meant for adults rather than children. Answer Explanation: The answer is adults. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the text says the Salsa class is for both men and women. In English, the words men and women refer to adult people, not children or teenagers. |
| Q17 | B | Then another class is called 'Smooth Movers'. It's with Kevin Bennett and it's for you if you don't have the same energy levels as you used to when you were a teenager | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that 'Smooth Movers' is for people who feel less energetic than they did in their youth. This shows that the participants are adults who have grown past their teenage years. Answer Explanation: The answer is B, which means that the class called Smooth Movers is for adults. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the text says the class is for people who no longer have the high energy they had when they were teenagers. This tells us the class is for people older than teenagers, which means adults. The class focuses on 'gentle exercise' and 'balance training,' which are activities often suggested for older adults rather than children or teenagers. |
| Q18 | C | For this day, youngsters must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and the costs are: adults £40, under-14s £10, but it's best value at £80 for a family of four | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that the class has different prices for adults and for children under the age of 14. It also mentions that young people must come with a parent or guardian, which means both children and adults are expected to attend. Answer Explanation: The answer C means that people of any age—from children to adults—can participate in the Art of the Forest class. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the speaker mentions both youngsters (children/teenagers) and adults when discussing who can attend. The text explains that children need to be with a parent or guardian and lists separate prices for adults and those under 14 years old. The mention of a 'family' price also confirms that the activity is meant for all ages together. |
| Q19 | B | The next one is 'The Money Maze', and this is a series of talks by Peter O'Reilly, an Independent Financial Adviser. He gives advice on family finances, things like everything parents need to know about managing the costs of bringing up children, sending them to university, and actually, also, about care for elderly relatives | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the class called 'The Money Maze' gives advice to parents about money for their family. It mentions 'parents' and 'family finances', which shows it is meant for adults. Answer Explanation: The answer is that this class is for grown-ups (adults). Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the talk is about 'family finances' and 'managing the costs' of raising children or helping old people. The transcript specifically says the talk is for what 'parents' need to know. Parents are adults, and children or teenagers usually do not handle these kinds of money matters. |
| Q20 | A | And as a final example of what's on offer, there's 'Make a Play'. That's for 8-14s and this activity is such a hit that it usually sells out within days of being announced | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the class called 'Make a Play' is for people between the ages of 8 and 14. This age group refers to children and teenagers. Answer Explanation: The answer is children and teenagers. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the transcript says the 'Make a Play' class is for '8-14s'. People who are between 8 and 14 years old are categorized as children and teenagers, rather than adults or people of all ages. |
Transcript
Fergus: And now here's Jasmine, who's come to tell us about this week's charity.
Jasmine: Hi Fergus. This week I'm going to talk about Forward thinking and their plans for the Colville Centre.
So, in recent years people have realised how useful the arts can be within healthcare. The idea behind Forward thinking is to use the arts to promote wellbeing. The charity develops projects for people with special needs and health problems, and also delivers training to healthcare professionals in using the arts, as well as supplying them with information and advice. Forward thinking doesn't just run art and craft classes to distract people who are ill, or recovering from illness, but arranges longer-term projects and courses, as it's been shown that the arts can bring all sorts of positive changes in patients, including benefits such as shortening the length of stay in hospital and reducing the amounts of medicine they need.
Fergus: I see.
Jasmine: Forward thinking has experience of working with a broad range of people from young adults with learning difficulties to older people in homes or daycare centres, and people with physical disabilities.
The organisation's been around since 1986, and it gradually expanded during the 1990s. Then, in the new millennium, it was decided to find a memorable name, so it's been operating as Forward thinking for several years, er, in fact since 2005.
It's quite a locally based charity, mainly for people in the southern part of this region, which includes all rural and urban communities outside the city of Clifton, which has its own organisation. There are of course some similar charities in other parts of the country, in London and so on.
Fergus: Mm. And what's the present fundraising in aid of?
Jasmine: Yeah. Well, the charity needs funding in order to buy the Colville Centre. This is a former village school, which was built in 1868. It was modernised and refurbished by the present owners last year, so it's ideal for art classes and for small social events, performances, seminars and so on. Forward thinking is fund-raising to purchase the building so they can use it to continue running classes and so on for the general public and eventually also for some of the people they help.
Fergus: Right, so can you give us a few ideas about what classes people might do there? Is it all art classes?
Jasmine: Um, well, there are some very good art classes, but there are lots of other things going on as well. So, for example, there's 'Learn Salsa!' with Nina Salina's team. They say that salsa is an easy dance to learn. It's also an excellent form of exercise, according to Nina, and that class is for both men and women, of course. It's ideal for beginners and what they call 'refreshers'. That's £100 for ten sessions.
Then another class is called 'Smooth Movers'. It's with Kevin Bennett and it's for you if you don't have the same energy levels as you used to when you were a teenager. It's a gentle exercise class, geared to the needs of whoever is in the group in a particular session. And Kevin is qualified to teach classes to people getting over injuries and so on, and balance training. That's £60 for ten sessions.
Then there's a day called 'Art of the Forest', with Jamie Graham, where you discover Upper Wood, a short walk from the Colville Centre, and learn how to design in 3-D with natural materials. It's an unusual and exciting way to be creative.
Jamie is an artist, with a background also as a country park ranger. For this day, youngsters must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and the costs are: adults £40, under-14s £10, but it's best value at £80 for a family of four.
The next one is 'The Money Maze', and this is a series of talks by Peter O'Reilly, an Independent Financial Adviser. He gives advice on family finances, things like everything parents need to know about managing the costs of bringing up children, sending them to university, and actually, also, about care for elderly relatives. It's £10 per talk, which will all go to support Forward thinking.
And as a final example of what's on offer, there's 'Make a Play'. That's for 8-14s and this activity is such a hit that it usually sells out within days of being announced. Basically what you do is write, rehearse and perform a play in just two days and it doesn't require any previous experience. I gather there's lots of fun and silliness along the way and the best bit perhaps is that there's a performance for family and friends at the end. It's just £50 for two days.
Fergus: Pretty good range of activities, I think. And all raising money for a good cause.
Jasmine: Yes! And the all-important contact details are: colville@forwardthinking.org.uk or write to me ...