University Open Day - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Collins Practice Tests For IELTS 2 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 26–28 Matching
What does Alice say about the events in the afternoon?
Write the correct letter, A, B or C.
A. She will attend.
B. She might attend.
C. She will not attend.
Questions 29–30 Multiple Choice (One Answer)
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q21 | B | I got here a little while ago. I spent some time walking around the place first, just to get a feel for what it's like | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that Alice arrived a short time ago and her first activity was to walk around the university grounds to see the environment. Answer Explanation: The answer B means that the first thing Alice did when she got to the university was walk around to see the area. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because Alice explains that after she arrived, she spent time walking around to see what the place was like. She mentions doing this "first," which means it happened before she had her coffee or started any official events. In English, "walking around the place" is a way to say you are looking around a location like a campus. |
| Q22 | A | All the high street banks are here, and the bookshop looks better than the one in town. There's supposed to be a big supermarket a few minutes' walk from the main entrance, so there's pretty much everything you need here | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that the banks and bookshop are located on the campus ('here'). However, the supermarket is outside the main gate, requiring a short walk to get to it. Answer Explanation: The answer is a supermarket because it is located outside the university grounds, not on the campus itself. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because Oliver describes the facilities located on the campus and distinguishes between what is 'here' (inside) and what is a short walk away. He mentions that banks and the bookshop are 'here,' meaning they are on campus. However, he notes that the supermarket is a 'few minutes' walk from the main entrance,' which indicates it is located just outside or nearby, rather than within the campus area. |
| Q23 | A | But you never know; they might check after to see if people have bothered to come to the Open Day, so I think it's best to register | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that Oliver thinks the university might check their records later to see who came to the Open Day. Because of this possibility, he thinks it is a good idea to sign up or register. Answer Explanation: The answer explains that Oliver believes registering is good because it provides proof to the university that you were actually present at the Open Day. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is supported by Oliver's suggestion that the university might look at the records later. Even though he was able to go to events without showing his name, he thinks it is safer to register just in case the school wants to see who "bothered to come" or attended. This shows that the purpose of registering, in his opinion, is so the university knows you were there. |
| Q24 | C | But being a bit older, I'm particularly keen on somewhere that has a few students my age on the course | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Alice saying that because she is older, she specifically wants to go to a university where there are other students around her age. Answer Explanation: The answer means that Alice's main goal is to find a university that has other older students, often called 'mature students'. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because Alice explains that she is an older student herself. She uses the phrase 'particularly keen on' to show what is most important to her, which is finding a course with students her age. She notes that while 'facilities' and 'links to businesses' are good, those things are almost the same at all the universities she has seen, so they are not her main reason for choosing one over the others. |
| Q25 | C | A lot of students go into finance, accountancy, banking, that kind of thing. I can't say that's ever appealed to me, though. My Maths teacher at college was telling me about the opportunities in the software industry, which I quite like the sound of | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that Oliver does not like the popular jobs for math students, like finance. However, he says that he likes the idea of working in the software industry after his teacher told him about it. Answer Explanation: The answer means Oliver wants to have a job in the software industry, where people create and design computer programs. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because Oliver explains his interest in software development. He mentions that many math students work in finance or banking, but he says those jobs have never 'appealed' to him, meaning he does not find them interesting. Instead, he says that he 'likes the sound of' working in the software industry, which shows it is the career path he prefers. |
| Q26 | C | There's also someone who'll be explaining about the year abroad. Apparently, you can spend your third year at one of their partner universities in Spain or Germany. I'm going to have to give that a miss, though, to catch my train | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Alice talking about a meeting where someone will explain how students can study in Spain or Germany for a year. However, she says she will not attend that meeting because she has to leave to get on her train. Answer Explanation: The answer means that Alice is not going to go to the talk about spending a year in another country. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because Alice explicitly mentions that she will not go to the presentation about the year abroad. She uses the phrase 'give that a miss,' which is a common English idiom meaning to decide not to do or attend something. She explains her reason is that she needs to leave early to catch a train. |
| Q27 | B | Oh, and there's also an exhibition area in the Physics Department with some of the things people are doing here. I'll try and catch that | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Alice talking about a exhibition where people show their work. She says she will 'try' to go to it, which means she hopes to see it but is not sure if she can. Answer Explanation: The answer B means that Alice mentions she may go to the event, but it is not a 100% certain plan. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because Alice uses the phrase 'I'll try and catch that' when talking about the exhibition in the Physics Department. In English, when someone says they will 'try' to do something, it means they want to do it if they have time or if things work out, but it is not a definite promise. This matches the idea that she 'might' attend rather than 'will' attend for sure. |
| Q28 | A | There's a talk later this afternoon by the head. I can't miss that | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Alice explaining that the leader of the department is giving a presentation later today and that it is very important for her to be there. Answer Explanation: The answer means that Alice plans to go to the presentation given by the leader of her department. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because Alice specifically mentions a talk by the head of her department that will happen later in the afternoon. She uses the phrase 'I can't miss that,' which in English means she definitely wants or needs to go. This shows her clear intention to attend the event. Other events she mentions, like the information about a year abroad, she says she will 'give that a miss' (not attend), emphasizing that she will choose to go to the head's talk instead. |
| Q29 | A | I already knew about a couple of accountancy firms in the area that offer work experience. That's on a voluntary basis, though | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that local accounting companies offer work practice, but it is "voluntary," which means the people who work there do not get any money for their help. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the accounting companies are the ones that provide jobs where you do not receive money. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because Oliver explains that he knows about accountancy firms that offer work experience on a "voluntary basis." In the context of a job, "voluntary" means you do the work for free rather than being paid for it. He contrasts this with jobs at the university, where he specifically mentions that the students "get paid." |
| Q30 | C | I've not made my mind up yet. I don't live far from here. My parents' place is just the other side of town. I could easily get the bus to campus, plus it would be a lot cheaper if I stayed at home. But it would be nice to get some independence as well, so I don't know. I'll have to see | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Oliver explaining his situation: he lives near the school, which makes staying at home a cheap choice, but he also likes the idea of being independent by living on campus. Because he finishes by saying 'I don't know' and 'I'll have to see,' it is clear he is still thinking about it. Answer Explanation: The answer means that Oliver has not decided or made a final choice about where he will stay if he attends the university. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because Oliver explicitly states that he has not yet decided where to live. He weighs the pros and cons of two options: staying at his parents' house to save money (living at home) versus living at the university for more freedom (living on campus). Since he says he doesn't know and still needs to see, he has not made a plan yet. Phrases like 'not made my mind up' and 'I'll have to see' are synonyms for 'does not yet know.' |
Transcript
Oliver: Excuse me, is this seat taken?
Alice: No, by all means, have a seat. Are you here for the Open Day?
Oliver: Yes, I think I've just about finished now. I got here first thing this morning. What about you?
Alice: I got here a little while ago. I spent some time walking around the place first, just to get a feel for what it's like. I'm doing the organised events this afternoon. I thought I'd have a coffee before I get started. It's a lovely campus, isn't it?
Oliver: Yes, I love it. And the facilities are unbelievable. I've just been over to have a look at the sports centre. There's an Olympic size swimming pool, a gym, squash courts, everything really. All the high street banks are here, and the bookshop looks better than the one in town. There's supposed to be a big supermarket a few minutes' walk from the main entrance, so there's pretty much everything you need here.
Alice: Yes, I really like the look of it ... Um, I wonder if you can help me. I think I need to register to let them know I've arrived, don't I?
Oliver: I'm not sure you have to. You can just pick up an information pack from the desk over there. And nobody asked my name or anything when I turned up for the events earlier. I just walked in. But you never know; they might check after to see if people have bothered to come to the Open Day, so I think it's best to register.
Alice: Thanks. I'll just finish my coffee and then I'll get started.
Oliver: So, is this your first Open Day?
Alice: No, it's my fourth. I've been to Sussex, Coventry and Birmingham so far. They've all got their good points. But being a bit older, I'm particularly keen on somewhere that has a few students my age on the course. Apart from that, they all seem to have great links to businesses, and there isn't much to choose between them as far as their facilities are concerned. How about you?
Oliver: I haven't been to any other Open Days yet but I'm hoping I end up here. I've just been to a presentation by the Head of Department. It sounds like a great place to do Maths - that's my subject. He was telling us about all the avenues open to Maths graduates and the kind of work you can end up doing. A lot of students go into finance, accountancy, banking, that kind of thing. I can't say that's ever appealed to me, though. My Maths teacher at college was telling me about the opportunities in the software industry, which I quite like the sound of.
Alice: Well, I hope you manage to get in. According to the letter they sent me, my department is doing something similar. There's a talk later this afternoon by the head. I can't miss that. There's also someone who'll be explaining about the year abroad. Apparently, you can spend your third year at one of their partner universities in Spain or Germany. I'm going to have to give that a miss, though, to catch my train. Oh, and there's also an exhibition area in the Physics Department with some of the things people are doing here. I'll try and catch that.
Oliver: There were a few second- and third-year students at the exhibition I went to. One of them gave me some great tips on finding work as well. I already knew about a couple of accountancy firms in the area that offer work experience. That's on a voluntary basis, though. But apparently the students helping here on the Open Day get paid, and the university advertises other jobs that come up now and again, so that's worth remembering. And a lot of the shops here are always looking for staff.
Alice: Mm, that's useful to know. I overheard someone saying there's a tour of some of the halls of residence in about half an hour, so I think I'll register and try to fit that in before I go to the talk. Are you thinking of living on campus?
Oliver: I've not made my mind up yet. I don't live far from here. My parents' place is just the other side of town. I could easily get the bus to campus, plus it would be a lot cheaper if I stayed at home. But it would be nice to get some independence as well, so I don't know. I'll have to see. But I didn't know about the tour. Would you mind if I tag along with you?
Alice: No, not at all. Let me just finish my coffee and I'll go and register.