Automation And The Future Of Work - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 18 Academic Listening Test 3 · Part 3 · Questions 21–30
Audio
Questions
Questions 21–22 Multiple Choice (Two Answers)
Choose TWO letters, A-E.
Questions 23–24 Multiple Choice (Two Answers)
Choose TWO letters, A-E.
Questions 25–30 Matching
What comment do the students make about each of the following jobs?
Choose SIX answers from the box and write the correct letter, A-G, next to Questions.
Comments
A These jobs are likely to be at risk.
B Their role has become more interesting in recent years.
C The number of people working in this sector has fallen dramatically.
D This job will require more qualifications.
E Higher disposable income has led to a huge increase in jobs.
F There is likely to be a significant rise in demand for this service.
G Both employment and productivity have risen.
Jobs
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q21 | — | — | |
| Q22 | A / E | Yes, and ultimately, they didn’t achieve anything. Yes, that’s true – but it probably didn’t seem a positive thing at the time. I can see why the Luddites felt so threatened. |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript suggests that the students are discussing how the actions of the Luddites may not have brought about any positive results, but they understand why the Luddites felt threatened. Answer Explanation: The answer indicates that the students expressed opinions that the actions of the Luddites were ineffective (A) and that their attitude is understandable (E). Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A and E because the excerpt highlights that the students mentioned the lack of achievement by the Luddites' actions ('they didn’t achieve anything') and also empathized with the Luddites' feelings ('I can see why the Luddites felt so threatened'). Therefore, the opinions expressed match with options A (ineffective actions) and E (understandable attitude). |
| Q23 | — | — | |
| Q24 | B / D | when all the evidence shows people are spending longer than ever at work. And what about lower unemployment? I’m not so sure about that. |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript suggests that people are working longer hours, contradicting the idea that working hours will be shorter and implying doubt about this prediction. Additionally, the speaker expresses uncertainty regarding the claim of lower unemployment rates. Answer Explanation: The answer indicates that the statements the students are doubtful about are the predictions related to working hours being shorter (option B) and unemployment falling (option D). Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is supported by the transcript excerpt where doubts are expressed about working hours decreasing and unemployment rates falling. The students question these predictions due to the observed trend of longer work hours and uncertain employment conditions. |
| Q25 | G | You might think all the technological innovations would have put them out of a job, but in fact there are more of them than ever. They’re still really in demand and have become far more efficient. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that despite the belief that technology would decrease the number of accountants, the reality is that there are now more accountants than before. They are still in high demand and have improved their efficiency. Answer Explanation: The answer indicates that both employment and productivity in the field of accountants have increased. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is G because the excerpt mentions that there are more accountants than ever and that they are still in demand. Therefore, the increase in employment and productivity aligns with the information provided in the excerpt. |
| Q26 | E | Yeah because people’s earning power has gone up so they can afford to spend more on personal services like that. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript means that because people have more money to spend, they are able to pay for services like hairdressing. Answer Explanation: The answer indicates that there has been a large increase in hairdressing jobs due to people having more money to spend. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'E' because the excerpt clearly mentions that higher disposable income has led to a huge increase in jobs, including hairdressing. This aligns perfectly with the information provided in the excerpt. |
| Q27 | B | Really boring compared to these days, when they’re given much more responsibility and higher status. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript is saying that administrative staff jobs used to be very boring, but nowadays they are more interesting because employees have more responsibilities and a higher position in the company. Answer Explanation: The answer indicates that the role of administrative staff has become more interesting in recent years. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'B' because the excerpt clearly states that administrative staff roles have evolved to become more engaging and prestigious by giving employees more responsibility and higher status, making the job more interesting. |
| Q28 | C | Yeah, I’d have assumed it would be more than 50%. Now it’s less than 0.2%. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript suggests that the number of people working as agricultural workers is much lower than expected. It is currently less than 0.2%. Answer Explanation: The answer choice C indicates that the number of people working in this sector has fallen dramatically, which aligns with the low percentage mentioned in the excerpt. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the excerpt clearly states a significant decrease in the number of agricultural workers, which corresponds to the answer choice C, indicating a dramatic fall in employment in this sector. |
| Q29 | F | But now of course this sector will see huge growth. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript suggests that there will be a very large increase in this sector in the future. Answer Explanation: The answer indicates that there will be a significant rise in demand for care workers. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'F' because the excerpt foreshadows a huge growth in the care worker sector, implying a significant rise in demand for care workers in the future. |
| Q30 | A | And technology will certainly make most of the jobs they do now redundant, I think. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript suggests that technology will lead to many of the tasks currently performed by bank clerks becoming unnecessary. Answer Explanation: The answer indicates that bank clerks' jobs are likely to be at risk. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'A' because the statement in the excerpt aligns with the comment that bank clerks' jobs are under threat due to technological advancements, making them likely to be at risk. |
Transcript
YOUNG MAN: That seminar yesterday on automation and the future of work was really good wasn’t it? Looking at the first industrial revolution in Britain in the 19th century and seeing how people reacted to massive change was a real eye-opener.
YOUNG WOMAN: Yes. It was interesting to hear how people felt about automation then and what challenges they faced. I didn’t know that first started with workers in the textile industry.
YOUNG MAN: With those protesting workers called the Luddites destroying their knitting machines because they were so worried about losing their jobs.
YOUNG WOMAN: Yes, and ultimately, they didn’t achieve anything. And anyway, industrialisation created more jobs than it destroyed.
YOUNG MAN: Yes, that’s true – but it probably didn’t seem a positive thing at the time. I can see why the Luddites felt so threatened.
YOUNG WOMAN: I know. I’m sure I would have felt the same. The discussion about the future of work was really optimistic for a change. I like the idea that work won’t involve doing boring, repetitive tasks, as robots will do all that. Normally, you only hear negative stuff about the future.
YOUNG MAN: Bit too optimistic, don’t you think? For example, I can’t see how people are about to have more leisure time, when all the evidence shows people are spending longer than ever at work.
YOUNG WOMAN: No – that’s true. And what about lower unemployment? I’m not so sure about that.
YOUNG MAN: Perhaps in the long term – but not in the foreseeable future.
YOUNG WOMAN: Mmm. And I expect most people will be expected to work until they’re much older – as everyone’s living much longer.
YOUNG MAN: That’s already happening.
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YOUNG WOMAN: I enjoyed all that stuff on how technology has changed some jobs and how they’re likely to change in the near future.
YOUNG MAN: Yeah, incredible. Like accountants. You might think all the technological innovations would have put them out of a job, but in fact there are more of them than ever. They’re still really in demand and have become far more efficient.
YOUNG WOMAN: Right. That was amazing. Twenty times more accountants in this country compared to the 19th century.
YOUNG MAN: I know. I’d never have thought that demand for hairdressing would have gone up so much in the last hundred years. One hairdresser for every 287 people now, compared to one for over 1,500.
YOUNG WOMAN: Yeah because people’s earning power has gone up so they can afford to spend more on personal services like that.
YOUNG MAN: But technology hasn’t changed the actual job that much.
YOUNG WOMAN: No, they’ve got hairdryers, etc. but it’s one job where you don’t depend on a computer … The kind of work that administrative staff do has changed enormously, thanks to technology. Even 20 years ago there were secretaries doing dictation and typing.
YOUNG MAN: Yes. Really boring compared to these days, when they’re given much more responsibility and higher status.
YOUNG WOMAN: Mmm. A lot of graduates go in for this kind of work now … I’d expected there to be a much bigger change in the number of agricultural workers in the 19th century. But the 1871 census showed that roughly 25% of the population worked on the land.
YOUNG MAN: Yeah, I’d have assumed it would be more than 50%. Now it’s less than 0.2%.
YOUNG WOMAN: What about care workers?
YOUNG MAN: They barely existed in the 19th century as people’s lifespan was so much shorter. But now of course this sector will see huge growth.
YOUNG WOMAN: Yeah- and it’s hard enough to meet current demand. The future looks quite bleak for bank clerks. They’ve been in decline since ATMs were introduced in the eighties.
YOUNG MAN: And technology will certainly make most of the jobs they do now redundant, I think.
YOUNG WOMAN: I agree, although the situation may change. It’s very hard to predict what will happen.