English Language Support in a Local Secondary School - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From IELTS Simulation Tests Academic Listening Test 09 · Part 3 · Questions 21–30
Audio
Questions
Questions 21–25 Short Answers
Answer the questions below.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.
Questions 26–30 Summary Completion
Complete the summary below using phrases from the box.
Choose your answers from the box and write the letters A–H next to questions 26–30.
A. vocational learning experiences | B. practical components | C. self-learning software
D. academic backgrounds | E. marine studies | F. interesting developments
G. scholastic competitions | H. building and construction
Sharon and Lester have different 26. Sharon studied business while Lester studied science. They are volunteering to help out at a school which is increasing its students' 27 in a number of subject areas. The 28 programme is well underway. It's a well-equipped school and the liaison officer is particularly impressed by the 29. The school offers many things to do outside the curriculum and students are encouraged to take part in 30.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q21 | quality education | To start with, I'd just like to say that we value volunteers highly and recognise their importance and assistance in the provision of quality education | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the liaison officer stating that helpers (volunteers) give valuable support to help deliver good, high-standard schooling (quality education). Answer Explanation: The answer means high-standard teaching and learning for students. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is supported by the liaison officer's opening statement, where they explain how much they appreciate volunteers. The officer notes that volunteers play an important role and offer help in the "provision of quality education." Here, the word "provision" means providing or giving something. |
| Q22 | written responses | LIAISON: But you can also help students edit their written responses |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the liaison explaining that another task volunteers can do is help students review and fix errors in their written work. Answer Explanation: The answer refers to the answers or essays that students write on paper. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is supported by the speaker mentioning that volunteers can help students "edit their written responses." In this context, the word "edit" means to check and correct work. |
| Q23 | organisational skills / organizational skills | LIAISON: Then, an enormous area of assistance is developing students' organisational skills | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the liaison explaining that a very large part of the help volunteers provide is helping students build and improve their organizational skills. Answer Explanation: The answer refers to students' ability to plan, organize, and manage their time and schoolwork effectively. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "organisational skills" because the liaison states that "an enormous area of assistance is developing students' organisational skills." In this context, "an enormous area of assistance" means a big area where volunteers can help a lot (assist greatly), and "developing" corresponds to improving their self-management abilities. |
| Q24 | work ethic | The other task I'd like you two to help out with is encouraging and improving the students' work ethic | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that the speaker wants the two volunteers to help encourage and boost the students' attitude toward working hard. Answer Explanation: The answer refers to the belief that working hard and putting in effort is important and good. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is confirmed when the liaison explains the different tasks the volunteers will do. The liaison specifically mentions that another task for them is "encouraging and improving the students' work ethic." Here, improving their work ethic directly relates to getting students to exert themselves (put in effort and work harder). |
| Q25 | teaching styles | LIAISON: Yes, the teachers you'll be assigned to are innovative and very responsive to the different needs of individual students. LESTER: If that's true, they must be adept at a variety of teaching styles. LIAISON: Quite right | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that teachers can meet each student's personal needs because they are skilled in using many different ways of teaching. Answer Explanation: The answer means different ways or methods of teaching. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is confirmed when the Liaison mentions that the teachers are responsive to the different needs of individual students. Lester observes that they must be skilled in a variety of "teaching styles", which the Liaison agrees with by saying "Quite right." |
| Q26 | D | I've chosen you two because of your varied academic backgrounds | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that the liaison officer picked Sharon and Lester because they have studied different academic subjects. Answer Explanation: The answer "D" refers to "academic backgrounds", which means the subjects, courses, or fields of study that someone previously learned at school or university. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is D because the liaison officer explicitly explains that Sharon and Lester were selected because of their "varied academic backgrounds". The word "varied" is a synonym for "different". The summary sentence directly follows this idea by describing what each of them studied (Sharon in business and Lester in science). |
| Q27 | A | The school you're going to assist at is augmenting the number of vocational learning experiences offered within its subjects | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that the school where Sharon and Lester will volunteer is growing the number of job-training and hands-on learning activities in the classes it teaches. Answer Explanation: The answer "A" refers to practical, hands-on learning activities related to specific jobs or trades ("vocational learning experiences"). Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the liaison mentions that the school is "augmenting the number of vocational learning experiences offered within its subjects." In the summary text, "increasing" matches the liaison's word "augmenting," and "in a number of subject areas" matches "within its subjects." Therefore, the phrase that correctly fills blank 27 is "vocational learning experiences." |
| Q28 | E | Areas of development being pursued include building and construction, agriculture, business education and hospitality; but the marine studies course is already well developed | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that among the various school subjects, the marine studies course is already well established and advanced. Answer Explanation: The answer "E" refers to "marine studies". Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is E because the summary mentions a programme that is "well underway" (which means already well advanced or developed). In the audio transcript, the liaison explains that while other areas are still being developed, "the marine studies course is already well developed." Therefore, "marine studies" correctly fills in blank 28. |
| Q29 | C | LIAISON: They have the most sophisticated self-learning software I've ever seen in this region of the country | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the liaison officer stating that the school has the most advanced self-study computer programs in that part of the country. Answer Explanation: The answer "C" refers to computer programs designed for students to study and learn by themselves without needing a teacher's constant help. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the liaison officer highlights what is uniquely impressive about the school's Independent Learning Centre (ILC). When asked what makes it so special, the liaison explains that the school possesses the most advanced "self-learning software" in the region, which directly corresponds to option C. |
| Q30 | G | they also promote students' participation in different scholastic competitions | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the school encourages its students to enter and compete in various academic contests. Answer Explanation: The answer "G" stands for "scholastic competitions," which refers to academic contests or intellectual challenges for students. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is G because the liaison officer states that in addition to extra-curricular activities (activities outside the curriculum), the school encourages and promotes students' involvement in academic contests. In the summary, "encouraged to take part in" directly corresponds to "promote students' participation in" from the spoken dialogue, which points directly to "scholastic competitions." |
Transcript
LIAISON: Come in and sit down, Lester...Sharon. I can see you're keen to know more. To start with, I'd just like to say that we value volunteers highly and recognise their importance and assistance in the provision of quality education.
LESTER: Thank you...we're looking forward to helping out, but what exactly can we do?
LIAISON: Volunteers can undertake a range of tasks...in general they enrich the English language programme and complement the contributions of salaried staff members...
SHARON: Yes, but...what would we do specifically?
LIAISON: Oh, a variety of tasks, for instance, you can tutor individual students in reading...
LESTER: I thought that might be the case...
LIAISON: But...you can also help students edit their written responses.
LESTER: Great...Is that also a one-on-one activity?
LIAISON: Oh, yes, definitely; but volunteers are also called on to assist in designated classes...
SHARON: And, what exactly would we do there?
LIAISON: Well, it depends on the class of course, but usually you take on the role of an assistant.
LESTER: A teacher's assistant?
LIAISON: Yes, that's it.
SHARON: Sounds like fun and good preparation for our own careers.
LIAISON: Then, an enormous area of assistance is developing students' organisational skills.
LESTER: Yes, I can imagine that's why some of them are struggling in the first place.
LIAISON: There's also the special needs unit. They always need volunteers there.
SHARON: But we have no training in special needs.
LIAISON: That's not necessary. These students just really appreciate having any extra attention—sometimes help with the simplest things...like holding a pen correctly.
LESTER: Ah...well, that's something all able-bodied students should learn. I've noticed some of the strangest pen grips amongst my peers and I'm sure they must end up with sore hand or shoulder muscles at the end of the day.
LIAISON: Yes. I'm sure you're right. The other task I'd like you two to help out with is encouraging and improving the students' work ethic.
SHARON: Oh, I can't imagine that'll be easy!
LIAISON: No, but it is important, and I can give you some training in that field.
LESTER: That'll be good.
LIAISON: I should also point out that you'll be working alongside quality teachers at times who are not only caring role-models but excellent motivators.
SHARON: Well, we should learn a lot from them.
LIAISON: Yes, the teachers you'll be assigned to are innovative and very responsive to the different needs of individual students.
LESTER: If that's true, they must be adept at a variety of teaching styles.
LIAISON: Quite right. You know, part of my mission is to forge close partnerships between experienced teachers and trainees like yourselves. As far as I can see everyone has something to gain from the exchange of information and skills—not just the students you're helping.
LIAISON: There are a number of interesting developments going on at the moment and I've chosen you two because of your varied academic backgrounds...now, you, Sharon...
SHARON: I majored in business studies before I came to teachers' training college.
LIAISON: Yes, exactly.
LESTER: Well, I've always been more interested in science, marine biology, in particular.
LIAISON: Yes, I think it's quite exciting. The school you're going to assist at is augmenting the number of vocational learning experiences offered within its subjects. Educational philosophy these days seems to recognise the importance of increasing practical components in the curriculum. Areas of development being pursued include building and construction, agriculture, business education and hospitality; but the marine studies course is already well developed.
LESTER: Oh, now I see where we fit in.
LIAISON: You'll find that the school has an excellent library and audio visual collection. There are 3 computer laboratories and a special-needs network with 6 stations.
LESTER: Ah...they are well equipped.
LIAISON: Mmm...wait till you see their Independent Learning Centre.
LESTER: What's so special about their ILC?
LIAISON: They have the most sophisticated self-learning software I've ever seen in this region of the country.
LESTER: Really?
LIAISON: Ah huh. And there's a wide number of extra-curricular activities, an extensive sporting programme...
LESTER: Oh, sport—not my thing at all...
LIAISON: Well, no, maybe not, but they also promote students' participation in different scholastic competitions.
LESTER: I'm impressed—I think we're going to enjoy this.