Geography Field Trip Proposal - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 08 Academic Listening Test 1 · Part 3 · Questions 21–30
Audio
Questions
Questions 21–24 One Choice
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Questions 25–27 Three Choices
Choose THREE letters, A-G.
Questions 28–30 Sentence Completion
Complete the sentences below.
Write ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
- The tribal park covers 28 hectares.
- Sandra suggests that they share the 29 for transport.
- She says they could also explore the local 30.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q21 | A | And I've made a few notes on the proposal about things which could have been better sequenced | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the teacher telling Sandra that he noticed some parts of her plan that would work better if the order of information was different. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the teacher believes some parts of Sandra's document should be moved around or put in a different order. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the teacher mentions that he left notes about things that could have been "better sequenced." In English, to sequence something means to put it in a specific order. If something needs to be "better sequenced," it means the current order is not great and should be changed or re-ordered. |
| Q22 | C | Generally speaking, I feel you've often used complex structures and long sentences for the sake of it and as a consequence . . . although your paragraphing and inclusion of sub-headings help . . . it's quite hard to follow your train of thought at times. So cut them down a bit, can you | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the tutor telling Sandra that her writing is hard to follow because her sentences are too long and complicated. He suggests that she make them shorter to improve the proposal. Answer Explanation: The answer means that Sandra should make the sentences in her writing shorter so that the reader can understand her ideas more easily. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the tutor explains that while Sandra's use of paragraphs and subheadings is good, her 'long sentences' and 'complex structures' make it difficult to follow her ideas. He specifically asks her to 'cut them down,' which is a synonym for shortening them. This instruction directly addresses making the proposal easier to follow. |
| Q23 | A | I didn't mean that. Look, you've remembered to include headers and footers, which is good, but listing ideas clearly is important. Number them or use bullet points, which is even clearer. Then you'll focus the reader on your main points | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the teacher explaining that Sandra should use numbers or bullet points to make her different ideas easy to see and follow. He explains that this will help the reader see her main points better. Answer Explanation: The answer means that Sandra did not use clear lists or numbers to show her different ideas. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the teacher points out that Sandra needs to list her ideas better to help the reader understand the main points. While Sandra thought the teacher was talking about page numbers, the teacher clarified that the problem was about how ideas were presented. The teacher suggested using numbers or bullet points for these separate ideas, which shows that they were not clearly identified in the current draft. Choice B is wrong because the teacher says her sub-headings actually help. Choice C is wrong because the teacher specifically says he is not talking about page numbering. |
| Q24 | B | My father was a great fan of cowboy films and the Wild West so I was subjected to seeing all the epics, many of which were shot there. As a consequence, it feels very familiar to me and it's awesome both geographically and visually, so it's somewhere I've always wanted to visit | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says Sandra's father loved movies about the Wild West. Because she watched these films, the park felt familiar and became a place she always wanted to visit. Answer Explanation: The answer means Sandra first liked the idea of visiting the park because she watched many Western movies with her father when she was young. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because Sandra says her father was a big fan of 'cowboy films'. She watched many of these 'epics' (large, important movies) that were filmed in that park. This started her interest in visiting. Although she later looked at 'online photographs', the original reason she wanted to go was because of the movies she saw earlier in her life. |
| Q25 | — | — | |
| Q26 | — | — | |
| Q27 | B / C / F | Well, I thought that from the perspective of a field trip, one thing I needed to focus on was the sandstone plateaux and cliffs themselves. The way they tower up from the flat landscape is just amazing. The fact that the surrounding softer rocks were eroded by wind and rain, leaving these huge outcrops high above the plain. It's hardly surprising that tourists flock to see the area. TUTOR: Well, yes, I'd agree with including those points . . I think an indication of what the students on the trip could actually do when they get there should be far more central, so that certainly needs to be included and to be expanded upon. And I'd like to see something about the local wildlife, and vegetation too, not that I imagine there's much to see. Presumably the tourist invasion hasn't helped. SANDRA: Okay, I'll do some work on those two areas as well |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows two parts of the conversation. In the first part, Sandra talks about the tall rocks and cliffs, and the tutor says yes to including them. In the second part, the tutor says they need information about activities for students and information about plants and animals, and Sandra agrees to work on those two things. Answer Explanation: The answers B, C, and F mean that the three subjects Sandra will include in her project plan are things for students to do (activities), natural land forms like rocks and cliffs (geographical features), and information about plants and animals. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is found by looking at the conversation between Sandra and her tutor about what should stay in or be added to the proposal. First, Sandra mentions the sandstone plateaux and cliffs (geographical features), and the tutor agrees. Second, the tutor suggests adding what students will do (field trip activities) and information about wildlife and vegetation (plant and animal life). Sandra agrees to this by saying she will work on those two areas. Sandra also wanted to talk about stories and history, but the tutor told her that those were not relevant right now, so they were left out. |
| Q28 | 12 000 / 12,000 / 12000 | SANDRA: 12,000 hectares, and the plain is at about 5,850 metres above sea level | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Sandra answering a question about the park's area by saying it is twelve thousand (12,000) hectares. Answer Explanation: The answer is the number 12,000, which tells us how big the park's land is. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is found when the tutor asks Sandra about the size of the tribal park (the area it covers). Sandra gives a specific number, 12,000, followed by the unit of measurement 'hectares'. |
| Q29 | horses | I think the best way to appreciate the area would be to hire horses instead and trek around on those | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that Sandra believes using horses is the ideal way for the group to see and experience the tribal park. Answer Explanation: The answer 'horses' means that Sandra thinks the students should use horses as their way to travel through the park. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is based on Sandra's suggestion for transport. When the tutor asks about tours and travel, Sandra compares two options: jeeps and horses. She specifically says she would not recommend jeeps. Instead, she says the 'best way'—which is a synonym for a suggestion—is to 'hire horses' to move (trek) around. |
| Q30 | caves | TUTOR: Okay, lastly, what else is worth visiting there? SANDRA: There are several caves, but I haven't looked into any details. I'll find out about them | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows a conversation where the teacher asks what other spots are good to visit. Sandra replies that there are several caves that she plans to research further. Answer Explanation: The answer 'caves' refers to natural underground holes or hollow areas in rocks that the group can go to see. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'caves' because when the teacher asks Sandra if there is anything else interesting to see in the area, she mentions that there are many caves. Although she does not have the details yet, she identifies them as a place they could visit or explore. |
Transcript
TUTOR: Right, Sandra. You wanted to see me to get some feedback on your group's proposal. The one you're submitting for the Geography Society field trip competition. I've had a look through your proposal and I think it's a really good choice. In fact, I only have a few things to say about it, but even in an outline document like this you really have to be careful to avoid typos and problems with layout in the proposal, and even in the contents page. So read it through carefully before submitting it, okay?
SANDRA: Will do.
TUTOR: And I've made a few notes on the proposal about things which could have been better sequenced.
SANDRA: Okay.
TUTOR: As for the writing itself, I've annotated the proposal as and where I thought it could be improved. Generally speaking, I feel you've often used complex structures and long sentences for the sake of it and as a consequence . . . although your paragraphing and inclusion of sub-headings help . . . it's quite hard to follow your train of thought at times. So cut them down a bit, can you?
SANDRA: Really?
TUTOR: Yes. And don't forget simple formatting like numbering.
SANDRA: Didn't I use page numbers?
TUTOR: I didn't mean that. Look, you've remembered to include headers and footers, which is good, but listing ideas clearly is important. Number them or use bullet points, which is even clearer. Then you'll focus the reader on your main points. I thought your suggestion to go to the Navajo Tribal Park was a very good idea.
SANDRA: I've always wanted to go there. My father was a great fan of cowboy films and the Wild West so I was subjected to seeing all the epics, many of which were shot there. As a consequence, it feels very familiar to me and it's awesome both geographically and visually, so it's somewhere I've always wanted to visit. The subsequent research I did and the online photographs made me even keener.
TUTOR: Interesting. Right, let's look at the content of your proposal now.
SANDRA: Did you find it comprehensive enough?
TUTOR: Well, yes and no. You've listed several different topics on your contents page, but I'm not sure they're all relevant.
SANDRA: No? Well, I thought that from the perspective of a field trip, one thing I needed to focus on was the sandstone plateaux and cliffs themselves. The way they tower up from the flat landscape is just amazing. The fact that the surrounding softer rocks were eroded by wind and rain, leaving these huge outcrops high above the plain. It's hardly surprising that tourists flock to see the area.
TUTOR: Well, yes, I'd agree with including those points . . .
SANDRA: And then the fact that it's been home to native American Navajos and all the social history that goes with that. The hardships they endured trying to save their territory from the invading settlers. Their culture is so rich – all those wonderful stories.
TUTOR: Well, I agree it's interesting, but it's not immediately relevant to your proposal, Sandra, so at this stage, I suggest you focus on other considerations. I think an indication of what the students on the trip could actually do when they get there should be far more central, so that certainly needs to be included and to be expanded upon. And I'd like to see something about the local wildlife, and vegetation too, not that I imagine there's much to see. Presumably the tourist invasion hasn't helped.
SANDRA: Okay, I'll do some work on those two areas as well. But you're right, there's not much apart from some very shallow-rooted species. Although it's cold and snowy there in the winter, the earth is baked so hard in the summer sun that rainwater can't penetrate. So it's a case of flood or drought, really.
TUTOR: So, I understand. Now, before we look at everything in more detail, I've got a few factual questions for you. It would be a good idea to include the answers in your finished proposal, because they're missing from your draft.
SANDRA: Fine.
TUTOR: So, you mentioned the monoliths and the spires, which was good, but what area does the tribal park cover? Do you know?
SANDRA: 12,000 hectares, and the plain is at about 5,850 metres above sea level.
TUTOR: Larger than I expected. Okay. Where's the nearest accommodation? That's a practical detail that you haven't included. Have you done any research on that?
SANDRA: Yes. There's nowhere to stay in the park itself, but there's an old trading post called Goulding quite near. All kinds of tours start from Goulding, too.
TUTOR: What kind of tours?
SANDRA: Well, the most popular are in four-wheel drive jeeps – but I wouldn't recommend hiring those. I think the best way to appreciate the area would be to hire horses instead and trek around on those. Biking is not allowed and it's impossible to drive around the area in private vehicles. The tracks are too rough.
TUTOR: Okay, lastly, what else is worth visiting there?
SANDRA: There are several caves, but I haven't looked into any details. I'll find out about them.
TUTOR: Okay, good. Now what I'd like to know is . . .