Bobby’s Research Project - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From IELTS Recent Actual Test 2 Academic Listening Test 2 · Part 3 · Questions 21–30
Audio
Questions
Questions 21–23 Multiple Choice (One Answer)
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Questions 24–30 Matching
What problems do the speakers identify for this project?
Choose SEVEN answers from the box and write the letters, A-H.
A. too vague
B. too factual
C. too unreliable
D. too noisy
E. too long
F. too short
G. too complicated
H. too simple
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q21 | C | No, everything is on a handout that was passed out | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the details are not from the teacher's speech, but from the paper that was distributed to the class. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the information about the school project can be found on a piece of paper called a handout. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because Bobby explicitly states that the instructions were not discussed in class but were provided on a paper given to the students. He uses the word 'handout' to describe this paper, which contains the deadlines and rules for the assignment. |
| Q22 | A | Well, this project is a major requirement for passing 11th grade English and will go on your permanent record | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the student must complete this project to pass 11th grade English and that information about the project will be added to the student's official file forever. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the result of this project will be kept in the student's official school documents forever. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the tutor tells Bobby that the project "will go on your permanent record." This means the school will keep a history of this work for a long time. While the tutor also says the project is a "major requirement" to finish 11th grade, the mention of the record highlights its long-term importance. The tutor also explains that Choice C is not quite right because a student's level for next year depends on more than just this one project, such as their whole grade and a teacher's advice. |
| Q23 | B | Well, actually it's because my father loves the sport. He watches it every weekend | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript tells us that Bobby chose this topic because his father is a big fan of football and watches it all the time. Answer Explanation: The answer means Bobby picked football for his project because his dad really likes the game. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because Bobby explains that his dad loves football and watches it every weekend. This is the main reason he gives for choosing this topic. In the text, he uses the word 'because' to show that his father's love for the sport is the reason for his choice. |
| Q24 | D | It's really hard to hear because the background noise is louder than the person's voice | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that Bobby is struggling to hear the recording because other sounds are drowning out the voice of the person who was interviewed. Answer Explanation: The answer is D, which means the project's audio recording has too much noise in the background. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is D because the student, Bobby, explains that one of his interview recordings is difficult to listen to. He mentions that the sounds in the background are louder than the person speaking. In English, when background sounds are too loud and prevent you from hearing clearly, we call that being 'too noisy.' |
| Q25 | F | Yes, it is a bit tough to discern. I'm afraid the player's answer is too short as well. You will have to interview him again and try to get him to give a better answer | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the tutor telling Bobby that one player's response was not long enough ('too short'). Because the answer was so brief, the tutor says Bobby needs to do the interview one more time to get better information. Answer Explanation: The answer is option F, which means one of the problems identified in Bobby's project is that some of the information he collected is not long enough or lacks enough detail. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is F because during the meeting, the tutor listens to Bobby's interview recordings and notes that a player's response didn't have enough information. She specifically uses the phrase 'too short' to describe the answer, suggesting that Bobby needs to speak with the player again to get a more complete and detailed response for his report. |
| Q26 | G | It is a great idea for a question, but in an oral interview it is far too complex. I would advise you to break it up into multiple parts to get a better response | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the tutor telling Bobby that his question is too difficult to answer in a conversation. He suggests making it easier by splitting it into smaller, simpler pieces. Answer Explanation: The answer is choice G, which means one of the questions Bobby used for his project was too complicated. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is G because the tutor reviews a specific interview question Bobby wrote and describes it as "far too complex." In this context, "complex" is a synonym for "complicated," meaning the question has too many ideas joined together. Bobby agrees that the question is hard to answer and says he will "simplify" it, which means he will make it easier and less complicated. |
| Q27 | E | I found that when I asked players this question, it took too much time because they were struggling to answer the question completely. In fact, this is the question Joe Billings was answering when the tape ran out | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that the players took a lot of time to answer Bobby's questions, and one player talked for so long that the recording machine stopped before he was done. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the time spent on giving answers was more than it should have been. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is E because Bobby explains that when he asked his questions, it "took too much time." This indicates that the answering process was too long. He also mentions a specific player who spoke for so long that the recording tape ended before he could finish his answer. |
| Q28 | C | This recording is spotty, which indicates that the equipment wasn't working consistently | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that the recordings were not smooth and had problems because the recording tool was not working reliably. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the equipment used to record the interviews did not work properly or in a steady way. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the tutor describes the recordings as 'spotty' and says the equipment did not work 'consistently.' This matches the meaning of 'unreliable,' which describes something that doesn't work well every time. Bobby also admits that using his phone's recorder was probably a bad idea because it was not high-quality equipment. |
| Q29 | A | While I like that you chose to cover football, it seems inexplicit. The keys for success of a player and team is quite an interesting topic, but what is your thesis? That is to say, what conclusions can you draw from your research? I would suggest coming up with a strong thesis statement and then shaping your report based on that. BOBBY: Is it really too vague | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the tutor telling Bobby that his topic is 'inexplicit' and needs a 'thesis' (a main idea or argument). Bobby then confirms this problem by asking if his topic is 'too vague.' These words all mean the topic is not clear. Answer Explanation: The answer 'A' means that Bobby's research topic is not clear or specific enough. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'A' because the tutor uses the word 'inexplicit' to describe Bobby's topic. This word, along with 'vague,' refers to something that lacks a clear main point or focus. The tutor also points out that Bobby needs a 'thesis' to make his project topic more defined. |
| Q30 | B | I think that's great that you included these facts, but I think you focused too much on the facts and not enough on connecting these facts to make your point | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the tutor saying that Bobby used too many facts. The tutor suggests that Bobby should spend more time explaining how the information relates to his main goals instead of just listing the data. Answer Explanation: The answer means that Bobby's paper has too many pieces of information and numbers but does not explain how they support his main idea. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the tutor tells Bobby that he spent too much effort listing details like goal-scorers and statistics. The tutor explains that while these details are good, Bobby needs to do more than just list them; he needs to use them to prove his point or thesis. This focus on data over explanation makes the report 'too factual.' |
Transcript
TUTOR: Hi Bobby, go ahead and sit down. Tell me about your research project.
BOBBY: Well, I decided to research football, and keys for success on a football team.
TUTOR: That sounds great. What are the guidelines for the test? Did the teacher talk to you about it in class?
BOBBY: No, everything is on a handout that was passed out. It says that the first draft is due at the end of next week, and the second and third are due later on in the month. I don't understand why we have to keep revising and fixing it. Is this assignment really that important?
TUTOR: Well, this project is a major requirement for passing 11th grade English and will go on your permanent record.
BOBBY: Oh really? Does that mean it will affect what English level I am placed in next year?
TUTOR: Well, not exactly. You need a good grade to move on, but it is your overall grade and teacher recommendation that determines what level of English you are placed in next year. Anyway, tell me about your topic choice. Do you play football?
BOBBY: Well, actually it's because my father loves the sport. He watches it every weekend.
TUTOR: Cool! It's a good idea to report on something you're interested in.
TUTOR: I see you worked hard calling players and the head coach to talk, so let's see what information you got.
BOBBY: Well, you have to listen carefully to the first call on the recording. It's really hard to hear because the background noise is louder than the person's voice.
TUTOR: Yes, it is a bit tough to discern. I'm afraid the player's answer is too short as well. You will have to interview him again and try to get him to give a better answer.
BOBBY: Okay. I thought that might happen. I will call him again tomorrow.
TUTOR: Moving on, let's look back at this question. You asked, “Tell me about a time when you learned a major life lesson through playing football, and explain how that has shaped the person and player you have become now, and how you hope to pass on that lesson.” It is a great idea for a question, but in an oral interview it is far too complex. I would advise you to break it up into multiple parts to get a better response.
BOBBY: I guess you're right - I wouldn't want to have to provide an answer to a question like that. I will simplify it. I found that when I asked players this question, it took too much time because they were struggling to answer the question completely. In fact, this is the question Joe Billings was answering when the tape ran out.
TUTOR: He did tend to ramble on all the questions, didn't he?
BOBBY: He sure did.
TUTOR: I would recommend that when you go back and interview players again that you use a more sophisticated recording device. This recording is spotty, which indicates that the equipment wasn't working consistently.
BOBBY: Okay. I guess it probably wasn't the best idea to use the sound recorder on my phone. Hey, could you give me some feedback on the content of the report itself?
TUTOR: Sure! Let's start by focusing on your topic. While I like that you chose to cover football, it seems inexplicit. The keys for success of a player and team is quite an interesting topic, but what is your thesis? That is to say, what conclusions can you draw from your research? I would suggest coming up with a strong thesis statement and then shaping your report based on that.
BOBBY: Is it really too vague? I put a whole lot of facts into it. I list the top 10 goal-scorers in football history, and later on provide statistics for a few of the most famous coaches and their records as coaches.
TUTOR: I think that's great that you included these facts, but I think you focused too much on the facts and not enough on connecting these facts to make your point.
BOBBY: Ah, I see. Okay. So it looks like I have quite a bit of work to do before the deadline!