An Introduction to Physics Tutorials - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Expert on Cambridge IELTS 09 Academic Listening Test 6 · Part 3 · Questions 21–30
Audio
Questions
Questions 21–23 One Choice
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Questions 24–30 Table Completion
Complete the table below. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.
STAGES AND ACTIVITIES
| Stages | Purpose/Contents | Students' Tasks | Tutor's Duty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction Period
(1st - 3rd week) |
Identify students with difficulty in joining into 24 | Check the attendance, help solving work in a 25 way | |
| Stage 2
(4th - 7th week) |
Half tutorials deal with 26 | Weekly assignments for 2 hours with of written work | Collect the written work; Mark and 27 them in one week. |
| Stage 3
(8th - 10th week) |
Supporting work about 28 and lab work | Accounts or notes; short speaking presentations on general 29 | Mark and grade the written work |
| PDP
(11th week) |
Self-directed and positive learning attitude | Undertake the process to 30 on their learning and plan for further development |
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q21 | C | A tutor is the student's personal tutor as well as their academic tutor | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that every tutor supports the student in their personal matters and also helps them with their university studies. Answer Explanation: The answer means that a tutor guides and helps students with both their personal life issues and their study issues. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because Professor Smith clearly states that a tutor helps students in two ways: as a "personal tutor" and as an "academic tutor." Choice A is incorrect because the speaker says "tutorials" (the class sessions) are an important part of the program, not the tutor alone. Choice B is incorrect because the tutor does not only handle academic problems, but personal matters as well. |
| Q22 | C | For radiography students, tutorials will normally consist of a group of about 10 students who will meet fortnightly with their tutor, for a period of at least 50 minutes | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that radiography tutorials have around 10 students who meet with their tutor every two weeks for at least 50 minutes. Answer Explanation: The answer means that radiography tutorials have 10 students meeting with their teacher once every two weeks. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because Professor Smith explains the tutorial setup for radiography students. The professor notes that these tutorials usually have "about 10 students" and they meet "fortnightly". The word "fortnightly" means happening once every two weeks. |
| Q23 | B | And the tutor will also be available in week 12 and 25 to discuss problems that arise during revision, but attendance by students is optional | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that the tutor will be there in week 12 and week 25 to help students, but students do not have to come unless they want to. Answer Explanation: The answer means that students can choose whether they want to go to the tutorials during week 12 and week 25. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the professor mentions that the tutor is present during week 12 and 25, but going to these sessions is not required. The word "selective" matches the idea that "attendance by students is optional," meaning students can decide for themselves if they will attend. |
| Q24 | the academic programme / academic programme / the academic program / academic program | the important function of this stage is to identify students who are having difficulty integrating into the academic programme | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that the main goal of the introduction period is to spot students who find it hard to fit into their university study schedule. Answer Explanation: The answer means the school's study course or university study plan. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "(the) academic programme" because Prof. Smith explains that the main purpose of the first stage (weeks 1 to 3) is to find students who struggle to adjust. In the table, the phrase "joining into" matches the word "integrating into" from the talk, and "difficulty" directly matches "having difficulty". |
| Q25 | systematic and effective | Tutors also help you tackle work in a systematic and effective manner | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that tutors support students so they can handle their studies in an organized and successful way. Answer Explanation: The answer refers to doing work in an organized and successful way. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is supported by the speaker's description of what tutors do during the Induction Period (weeks 1 to 3). The speaker mentions that tutors assist students by helping them 'tackle work in a systematic and effective manner.' In the table, 'help solving work' corresponds to 'help you tackle work', and 'way' matches 'manner', meaning the missing words are 'systematic and effective'. |
| Q26 | coursework | approximately 50% of tutorial time is to be devoted to coursework | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that about half (50%) of the time in tutorials during this stage should be used for coursework. Answer Explanation: The answer "coursework" means regular schoolwork or study tasks that students do during their course. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "coursework" because the professor explains what happens in Stage 2 of the tutorials. He states that around 50% of the tutorial time is spent on coursework. In the table, "Half tutorials deal with" matches "approximately 50% of tutorial time is to be devoted to". Therefore, the missing topic or content is "coursework". |
| Q27 | grade | The written work collected by the tutor should be marked within a week of handing in. And generally the assignments should be graded | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that tutors must collect the written work, mark it within a week, and give it grades. Answer Explanation: The answer "grade" means to give a score or mark to evaluate a student's schoolwork. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "grade" because the table asks for the tutor's responsibilities regarding the students' written work during Stage 2. The speaker explains that written work should be marked within one week and that the assignments should be graded. In the sentence "Mark and [input] them in one week", the verb base form "grade" fits grammatically alongside "Mark". |
| Q28 | lecture programmes / lecture programs | The majority of tutorial time should be devoted to work which supports the lecture programs, and laboratory work | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that most tutorial time in this stage is used to help and support the lecture courses and laboratory tasks. Answer Explanation: The answer means classes or courses of lectures that students attend. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "lecture programmes" (or "lecture programs") because the speaker explains what happens during the third stage (weeks 8 to 10). Prof. Smith states that most of the tutorial time is spent on work that supports the "lecture programs, and laboratory work." In the table, this matches "Supporting work about [lecture programmes] and lab work." |
| Q29 | physics topics / essays | Short oral presentations by students should be included. They are possibly on general physics topics or essays | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that students need to give short spoken talks, and these talks can be about general physics subjects or essays. Answer Explanation: The answer refers to physics subjects or essays that students talk about. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is correct because the speaker explains the student tasks during Stage 3 (weeks 8 to 10). The table asks about "short speaking presentations on general [blank]". In the talk, the professor mentions that students must give "short oral presentations" and that these talks are "on general physics topics or essays". Here, "oral presentations" corresponds directly to "speaking presentations". |
| Q30 | reflect | It is undertaken by yourselves to reflect upon your own learning, performance and achievement and to plan for your personal, educational and career development | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that students do this activity themselves so they can think carefully about their learning and achievements, and prepare for future goals. Answer Explanation: The answer "reflect" means to think deeply or carefully about something, such as what you have learned. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "reflect" because the speaker explains that students do Personal Development Planning (PDP) to think about their own progress. In the speech, Professor Smith says PDP is undertaken by students to "reflect upon your own learning" and plan for the future. The word "upon" has the same meaning as "on", fitting the phrase "to reflect on their learning". |
Transcript
Presenter: Welcome to orientation week. This is the Physics School's session. And we'll welcome Prof. Smith, the head of the School, to introduce you to the tutorial system. Welcome, Prof. Smith.
Prof. Smith: Thank you. You may have noticed life at university is totally different from that of school. For you, tutorials are an important part of the teaching programme. Tutors are the primary contact between undergraduate students and the School. A tutor is the student's personal tutor as well as their academic tutor.
Tutorials for Physics undergraduate consist of 6 students who meet each week with their tutor for at least 50 minutes. For radiography students, tutorials will normally consist of a group of about 10 students who will meet fortnightly with their tutor, for a period of at least 50 minutes.
In the first semester, the tutorials are during weeks 1 to 11; for semester 2 they are during weeks 14-24. Everybody involved is expected to be present and on time. And the tutor will also be available in week 12 and 25 to discuss problems that arise during revision, but attendance by students is optional.
Now I'm going to introduce you the stages and activities of the tutorials. The Induction Period is from week 1 to 3. I know that a significant minority of you experience culture-shock during your first few months at University, and the important function of this stage is to identify students who are having difficulty integrating into the academic programme. In particular, tutors should check your attendance of lectures, tutorials, laboratories, and this sort of things. Tutors also help you tackle work in a systematic and effective manner.
Stage 2 begins from the fourth week. Some tutorials of this period are to be devoted to discussion or going over the students' lecture notes, but approximately 50% of tutorial time is to be devoted to coursework. You should finish the weekly homework assignments of two hours duration with at least 50% involving written work. At least eight homework assignments during the year should involve answering problems set on coursework.
The written work collected by the tutor should be marked within a week of handing in. And generally the assignments should be graded.
The third stage starts from the 8th week till the 10th. During the period Math and four core physics programmes are included. The majority of tutorial time should be devoted to work which supports the lecture programs, and laboratory work. At least 60% of homework assignments should involve written work. The assignment may involve writing an account of or notes on a specified range of topics. The written work should also be marked and graded. Short oral presentations by students should be included. They are possibly on general physics topics or essays.
The last week's Personal Development Planning is a structured and supported process. The primary objective for PDP is to help you to become more independent and confident self-directed learners, and encourage a positive attitude to learning throughout life. It is undertaken by yourselves to reflect upon your own learning, performance and achievement and to plan for your personal, educational and career development.
Finally, if without evidence of good reasons, you miss more than two sessions during a semester, or if the tutor is not satisfied with your progress, the matter must be immediately referred to the Program Director who will normally issue formal warning, verbal and written. This will inform you that your place at University is under threat of withdrawal if no improvement is made.