Cardiff University Library Orientation - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 05 Academic Listening Test 4 · Part 4 · Questions 31–40
Audio
Questions
Questions 31–36 One Choice
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Questions 37–40 Matching
Which section of the university will help postgraduate students with their dissertations in the following ways?
Write the correct letter, A, B or C.
A. the postgraduate's own department or tutor
B. library staff
C. another section of the university
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q31 | B | So, in this first week, we run a series of talks which focus on different aspects of the library and its resources | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that during the first week, the school provides many group talks (a series of talks) that explain the different parts (aspects) and tools (resources) available in the library. Answer Explanation: The answer means that during the first seven days of school, students can go to speeches where people describe what is in the library. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the speaker says that instead of a tour (which could be confusing), the university gives talks during the first week about the library's materials. Choice A is wrong because the speaker says they do not give guided tours. Choice C is wrong because the computer classes happen throughout the whole term, not just the first week. 'Resources' in the answer choice is a synonym for 'library materials' or 'information.' |
| Q32 | A | Clearly you can find lots on there but much of it is useless information as it is from highly debatable sources – so be critical | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that while the internet has a lot of content, some of it is not helpful because the sources might not be right, so students need to judge the information carefully. Answer Explanation: The answer means that some things you find on the internet might not be true, accurate, or trustworthy. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the speaker says that much of the information on the internet is 'useless' because it comes from 'highly debatable sources.' In this context, 'debatable' means that people disagree on whether it is true or correct. This matches the word 'unreliable' in the question, which means something you cannot trust to be right. The speaker also tells the students to 'be critical,' which is a way of saying they should think carefully about whether the information is actually good or bad. |
| Q33 | A | It means we can expand what we offer you at very little extra cost and saves us having to invest in more and more books | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that using CD-ROMs allows the library to give students more resources for a very low price, instead of spending money on a lot of new books. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the library uses CDs because they do not cost much money to buy and provide to students. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the speaker mentions that by using CD-ROMs, the library can provide more materials for students to use without spending a lot of money. The speaker uses the phrase 'at very little extra cost', which is another way of saying the information is 'cheap'. This method helps the library avoid the high price of buying many new books. |
| Q34 | C | Clearly some of you will find the printed version more accessible as it sits on the shelves but I'm afraid the intention is to phase these out eventually | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that the library plans to slowly stop providing paper copies of journals, so students are told to use the computer versions instead. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the library plans to have fewer physical paper copies of journal articles in the future. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the speaker explains that even though some students like the paper journals on the shelves, the library plans to 'phase these out.' The phrase 'phase out' means to stop using or providing something slowly over time. This matches option C, which says the 'stock' (the amount of something available) will be 'reduced' (made smaller). Because the paper versions will eventually disappear, the library encourages students to use the online versions now. |
| Q35 | A | Naturally we do still have the full range of classic reference books, additional to the CD-ROMS, for you to use and there are several copies of each one. This is because some of you may prefer to borrow a book rather than sit in the library | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says the library still has physical books because some students want to take them home or use them elsewhere instead of staying in the library to study. Answer Explanation: The answer means that students can borrow physical books and use them outside of the library building. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is supported by the part of the transcript that explains why the library keeps physical copies of reference books. It states that many students like to 'borrow' books so they don't have to stay inside the library to read them. The word 'borrow' means to take something for a short time and then return it, which matches the idea of taking books 'away' from the library. |
| Q36 | B | As your Training Supervisor, I just oversee your induction and will not be around after this initial week | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the speaker explaining that as the Training Supervisor, their only task is to manage the introductory period (induction) for new students and that they will leave after the first week. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the Training Supervisor's job is to help new students get to know the library and how to use it during their first week. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the speaker identifies themselves as the Training Supervisor and says their role is to 'oversee your induction.' In a university context, 'induction' is a synonym for 'orientation,' which refers to the introductory phase where new students learn about the facilities and resources available to them. The supervisor also mentions they will only be there for the 'initial week,' which matches the short-term nature of an orientation period. |
| Q37 | B | Some of you may be interested to know that the library is offering specialised training sessions on writing a dissertation. Obviously this is not relevant to those of you who are undergraduates; it is just for postgraduates. Your department will discuss the planning stage of the dissertation – i.e. what you're going to do – with you and we will focus on the structure of it. However, the training will also include some time on the computers. I realise most of you know how to organise files but we can show you the different ways to run data programmes | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the library has special classes for postgraduate students. During these library sessions, the staff will help students learn how to use different computer programs to manage their data. Answer Explanation: The answer B means that the people who work at the library (the library staff) are the ones who provide the computer training. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the speaker, who represents the library, mentions that the library provides special training sessions for postgraduate students. In these sessions, the staff will show students how to use 'data programmes,' which refers to specialized computer software used for research information. |
| Q38 | A | Your tutors will tell you at the outset how to set out the chapters they require but you will need to ask them how they would like you to organise the bibliography because it varies depending on your subject area | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that while teachers tell students how to arrange chapters, students must also talk to those same teachers to learn how to put the bibliography in the right order. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the student's own department or teacher (tutor) is the one responsible for giving advice on how to arrange the list of books used in their work, which is called a bibliography. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the speaker specifically mentions that students need to ask their tutors about the organization of the bibliography. This is because the style or format changes based on the specific subject at the university. Keywords like 'ask them' refer back to the 'tutors' mentioned earlier in the sentence. |
| Q39 | B | When you've got something together the trainer here will look through the draft version for you to see if it's OK | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that when a student has finished a rough version of their work, a teacher at the library will read it to check if the student did a good job. Answer Explanation: The answer means that library staff are the ones who will review a student's early version of their dissertation. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the speaker, who represents the library, explains that once postgraduate students have a draft of their work ready, a 'trainer' at the library will review it for them. Key words to look for are 'trainer here', which refers to staff at the library, and 'look through the draft version', which means to check or review the dissertation. |
| Q40 | C | If you require language lessons then they are available from the International Centre next to the Law Department | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that if students need help with their language skills, they should go to the International Centre, which is a specific office located near the Law Department. Answer Explanation: The answer is option C, which means a different part of the university (not the student's department and not the library) provides this help. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the text states that language lessons are provided by the International Centre. Because the speaker is talking about library services but points students to the 'International Centre' for language help, it shows that this support comes from another section of the university. To understand this, look for the term 'language lessons' and where they are located. |
Transcript
OK, are you all settled? Well, first of all, welcome to Cardiff University. I'm here to explain what we can offer you.
Now, as a new student at the university, you will probably need some sort of guidance to help you to use the library effectively to study and research. Some of you have asked about a guided tour but we find this rather muddles people. So, in this first week, we run a series of talks which focus on different aspects of the library and its resources. You'll also find that to get the most out of the library you really do need to be computer literate and so all this term we run small classes which will bring you up to speed on how to access the computer-loaded information.
OK, now let me give you an outline of what's available to you. You'll find that the computers are increasingly used as a research tool. Many students do most of their research on the internet and the library computers are permanently online. Having found what you need, you'll find you can readily save texts on your personal computer space to print off when you need. You might think that it is the fastest way to get information but the links can be slow. Clearly you can find lots on there but much of it is useless information as it is from highly debatable sources – so be critical. You'll also find that the library has loaded several CD-ROMS onto the computers from specialist reference sources such as the MLA. It means we can expand what we offer you at very little extra cost and saves us having to invest in more and more books. The CD-ROMS contain exactly the same information as the reference books as the two are updated together.
Now most of you will need to refer to journal articles in your work and you'll find you can also access these online and we encourage you to do so.
Clearly some of you will find the printed version more accessible as it sits on the shelves but I'm afraid the intention is to phase these out eventually. However, you will still be able to print off a version of the text rather than photocopying the journal pages. So you must get used to working online. Naturally we do still have the full range of classic reference books, additional to the CD-ROMS, for you to use and there are several copies of each one. This is because some of you may prefer to borrow a book rather than sit in the library. There is a restricted loan time on these so that they are not missing from the shelves for too long. Although there is a Section Manager for each part of the library, they are very busy and so, if you do get stuck looking for things, you should ask the relevant Cataloguing Assistant. As your Training Supervisor, I just oversee your induction and will not be around after this initial week.
Some of you may be interested to know that the library is offering specialised training sessions on writing a dissertation. Obviously this is not relevant to those of you who are undergraduates; it is just for postgraduates. Your department will discuss the planning stage of the dissertation – i.e. what you're going to do – with you and we will focus on the structure of it. However, the training will also include some time on the computers. I realise most of you know how to organise files but we can show you the different ways to run data programmes. Your tutors will tell you at the outset how to set out the chapters they require but you will need to ask them how they would like you to organise the bibliography because it varies depending on your subject area. When you've got something together the trainer here will look through the draft version for you to see if it's OK. And, one final point, for those of you who have registered from abroad, we can offer individual sessions on dissertations if you feel you need them. If you require language lessons then they are available from the International Centre next to the Law Department.