Alex’s Training - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 13 Academic Listening Test 4 · Part 1 · Questions 1–10
Audio
Questions
Questions 1–10 Note Completion
Complete the notes below.
Write ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
|
Alex’s Training |
| Example
Alex complete his training in …..2014…… |
About the applicant:
Benefits of doing training at JPNW:
Advice for interview:
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Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | Finance | I did my initial training in Finance. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript indicates that Alex initially completed his training in the field of Finance. Answer Explanation: The answer 'Finance' refers to the specific department in which Alex did his training. Reason For Correctness: The answer is correct because it directly matches the subject of the training mentioned in the provided excerpt, which is Finance. |
| Q2 | Maths / Math / Mathematics | I didn’t do well in my exams at school and I was really worried because I failed Maths. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that the person did not do well in their school tests and was worried because they failed in the subject called Maths. Answer Explanation: The answer is related to a school subject called Maths, which is also known as Math or Mathematics. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Math' because it is the subject in which the person mentioned they had difficulties and failed during their exams. |
| Q3 | business | I took the one on IT skills but I wish I’d done that one instead. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript suggests that Alex regrets not choosing the diploma in business skills for his training. Answer Explanation: The answer 'business' refers to the field of business skills that Alex wishes he had chosen for his training. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer matches the mention in the excerpt where Alex expresses regret about not selecting the business skills diploma for his training, indicating that business is the relevant field of study. |
| Q4 | 17 / seventeen | there was only one person younger than me, how was 17. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that there was only one person younger than Alex, and that person was 17 years old. Answer Explanation: The answer '17' is the age of the youngest person who was in training with Alex. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is '17' because it is mentioned in the transcript that the youngest trainee was 17 years old, which means Alex was older than 17. |
| Q5 | holiday / holidays / vacation / vacations | Buy you get the same number of days’ holiday as everyone else. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript means that when you are a trainee, you get the same number of days off as the regular employees. Answer Explanation: The answer is that you get the same number of 'holidays' as the permanent staff, where 'holidays' means days you don't have to work. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'holidays' because the excerpt clearly states that the trainees receive the same number of 'days' holiday as the permanent staff, and 'holidays' is the correct word for days you don't have to work. |
| Q6 | college | Yes, one day each month. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that trainees go somewhere one day per month. Answer Explanation: The answer is not given here, but it is related to the question about where trainees go once a month. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is not provided here, but it should be something like 'a seminar' or 'a training session', based on the context. |
| Q7 | location | Yes, it’s very close to the train station so the location’s a real advantage. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript means that the training location is very close to the train station, which is an advantage. Answer Explanation: The answer is the specific place or area where something is located. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'location' because the excerpt mentions that the training location is close to the train station, which means the location is convenient and advantageous. |
| Q8 | jeans | Nothing too casual – like jeans | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript is saying not to wear clothing that is very casual, like jeans. Answer Explanation: The answer 'jeans' refers to a type of casual pants. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer matches the context because it fits the description of casual attire that should be avoided for the interview, as mentioned in the excerpt. |
| Q9 | late | Erm, well I know it’s really obvious but arrive in plenty of time. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript means that you should arrive at the interview early and not too close to the time of the interview. Answer Explanation: The answer 'late' means arriving after the time you are supposed to be there. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'late' because in the transcript, it says 'arrive in plenty of time,' which means you should not arrive late. |
| Q10 | smile | And one other useful piece of advice my manager told me before I had the interview for this job – is to smile. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript mentions that before Alex had his job interview, his manager gave him a helpful tip. The tip is to smile. Answer Explanation: The answer suggests that one helpful tip for the interview is to smile. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer matches the advice given in the excerpt about smiling before an interview. It highlights the importance of smiling during the interview process to create a positive impression. |
Transcript
MARTHA: Hi Alex. It’s Martha Clines here. James White gave me your number. I hope you don’t mind me calling you.
ALEX: Of course not. How are you, Martha?
MARTHA: Good thanks. I’m ringing because I need a bit of advice.
ALEX: Oh yeah. What about?
MARTHA: The training you did at JPNW a few years ago. I’m applying for the same thing.
ALEX: Oh right. Yes, I did mine in 2014. Best thing I ever did. I’m still working there.
MARTHA: Really? What are you doing?
ALEX: Well, now I work in the customer services department but I did my initial training in Finance. I stayed there for the first two years and then moved to where I am now.
MARTHA: That’s the same department I’m applying for. Did you enjoy it?
ALEX: I was pretty nervous to begin with. I didn’t do well in my exams at school and I was really worried because I failed Maths. But it didn’t actually matter because I did lots of courses on the job.
MARTHA: Did you get a diploma at the end of your trainee period? I’m hoping to do the one in business skills.
ALEX: Yes. That sounds good. I took the one on IT skills but I wish I’d done that one instead.
MARTHA: OK, that’s good to know. What about the other trainees? How did you get on with them?
ALEX: There were about 20 of us who started at the same time and we were all around the same age – I was 18 and there was only one person younger than me, how was 17. The rest were between 18 and 20. I made some good friends.
MARTHA: I’ve heard lots of good things about the training at JPNW. It seems like there are a lot of opportunities there.
ALEX: Yeah, definitely. Because of its size you can work in loads of different areas within the organisation.
MARTHA: What about pay? I know you get a lower minimum wage than regular employees.
ALEX: That’s right – which isn’t great. Buy you get the same number of days’ holiday as everyone else. And the pay goes up massively if they offer you a job at the end of the training period.
MARTHA: Yeah, but I’m not doing it for the money – it’s the experience I think will be really useful. Everyone says by the end of the year you gain so much confidence.
ALEX: You’re right. That’s the most useful part about it. There’s a lot of variety too. You’re given lots of different things to do. I enjoyed it all – I didn’t even mind the studying.
MARTHA: Do you have to spend any time in college?
ALEX: Yes, one day each month. So you get lots of support from both your tutor and your manager.
MARTHA: That’s good. And the company is easy to get to, isn’t it?
ALEX: Yes, it’s very close to the train station so the location’s a real advantage.
———————
ALEX: Have you got a date for your interview yet?
MARTHA: Yes, it’s on the 23rd of this month.
ALEX: So long as you’re well prepared there’s nothing to worry about. Everyone’s very friendly.
MARTHA: I am not sure what I should wear. What do you think?
ALEX: Nothing too casual – like jeans, for example. If you’ve got a nice jacket, wear that with a skirt or trousers.
MARTHA: OK. Thanks. Any other tips?
ALEX: Erm, well I know it’s really obvious but arrive in plenty of time. They hate people who are late. So make sure you know exactly where you have to get to. And one other useful piece of advice my manager told me before I had the interview for this job – is to smile. Even if you feel terrified. It makes people respond better to you.
MARTHA: I’ll have to practise doing that in the mirror!
ALEX: Yeah – well, good luck. Let me know if you need any more information.
MARTHA: Thanks very much.