Children’s Engineering Workshops - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 16 Academic Listening Test 1 · 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.
Children’s Engineering Workshops
Tiny Engineers (ages 4-5)
Activities
- Create a cover for an 1 so they can drop it from a height without breaking it.
- Take part in a competition to build the tallest 2.
- Make a 3 powered by a balloon.
Junior Engineers (ages 6-8)
Activities:
- Build model cars, trucks and 4 and learn how to program them so they can move.
- Take part in a competition to build the longest 5 using card and wood.
- Create a short 6 with special software.
- Build, 7 and program a humanoid robot.
Cost for a five-week block: £50
Held on 8 from 10 am to 11 am
Location
Building 10A, 9 Industrial Estate, Grasford
Plenty of 10 is available.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | egg | For example, they work together to design a special cover that goes round an egg, so that when it’s inside they can drop it from a height and it doesn’t break | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript talks about children designing a cover for an egg to protect it when dropped from a height. Answer Explanation: The answer 'egg' refers to the delicate object that the children are working with in the activity mentioned. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer 'egg' is derived from the description of children working on a special cover for the egg mentioned in the excerpt. They are designing this cover to protect the egg when it is dropped from a height, indicating that 'egg' is the correct answer. |
| Q2 | tower | Well, they have a competition to see who can make the highest tower. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript mentions a competition where participants try to build the tallest structure. Answer Explanation: The answer 'tower' refers to a tall structure that can be built in the competition mentioned in the transcript. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer aligns with the context provided in the excerpt, which specifically talks about a competition to build the highest tower. This is supported by the mention of other building-related activities like creating a cover for something to drop from a height and building a long structure using card and wood. |
| Q3 | car | For example, one thing they do is to design and build a car that’s attached to a balloon, and the force of the air in that actually powers the car and makes it move along. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript talks about a fun activity where children design and build a car that moves by attaching it to a balloon. The air from the balloon provides the power for the car to move. Answer Explanation: The answer 'car' refers to a vehicle that can be designed and built by the children in the workshop. In this context, the children are creating a model car that can be powered by a balloon, showing them how different forces can make things move. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'car' because it fits the description of the activity mentioned, where children are learning to design and build model cars powered by a balloon in the workshop. |
| Q4 | animals | but also how to construct animals using the same sorts of material and technique | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript talks about how children can learn not only to build simple objects but also to construct animals using similar materials and techniques. Answer Explanation: The answer 'animals' refers to creatures like dogs, cats, birds, etc., that can be built using the mentioned materials and techniques. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer fits the context of the excerpt as it highlights the idea of learning to build animals in addition to other objects during the workshop, showcasing a broader range of construction possibilities for the children. |
| Q5 | bridge | Yes, with the Junior Engineers, it’s to use recycled materials like card and wood to build a bridge, and the longest one gets a prize. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that Junior Engineers use recycled materials like card and wood to construct a bridge. The longest bridge created by the participants will receive a prize. Answer Explanation: The answer 'bridge' refers to a structure that spans a gap or an obstacle, typically over a body of water or a road. In this context, children are tasked with building a bridge using recycled materials as part of their engineering workshop activities. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'bridge' because it matches the activity described in the excerpt where Junior Engineers are instructed to build bridges from material like card and wood. |
| Q6 | movie / film | Then they have something a bit different, which is to think up an idea for a five-minute movie and then film it, using special animation software. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript talks about a different activity where participants come up with an idea for a short video (movie) and then make it using special software. Answer Explanation: The answer 'movie, film' refers to a short video that tells a story or shows an idea, often created for entertainment or educational purposes. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer matches the activity described in the transcript, which involves making a short movie using animation software. 'Film' is another word for 'movie,' so both 'movie' and 'film' are valid answers. |
| Q7 | decorate | And then they also build a robot in the shape of a human, and they decorate it and program it so that it can move its arms and legs. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript talks about children building a robot that looks like a human. They make it more attractive by adding designs and colors. Answer Explanation: The answer means to add aesthetics or design elements to something to make it look better. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'decorate' because it fits the context of enhancing the appearance of the humanoid robot by adding decorations to it, like one would decorate a Christmas tree or a birthday cake. |
| Q8 | Wednesdays | They used to be, but we found it didn’t give our staff enough time to clear up after the first workshop, so we moved them to Wednesdays. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript talks about how the workshops used to be held on a certain day but had to be moved. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'Wednesdays', indicating that the workshops are now held on Wednesdays. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is based on the information provided in the excerpt where it mentions that the workshops were moved to Wednesdays because the previous day didn't allow enough time for the staff to clean up. Therefore, 'Wednesdays' is the correct day for the workshops as stated in the transcript. |
| Q9 | Fradstone | They’re in building 10A – there’s a big sign on the door, you can’t miss it, and that’s in Fradstone Industrial Estate. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript mentions that the location where the workshops are held is in Fradstone Industrial Estate, specifically in building 10A with a noticeable sign on the door. Answer Explanation: The answer 'Fradstone' is referring to the location Fradstone Industrial Estate where the workshops take place. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Fradstone' because it matches the location provided in the excerpt, which is Fradstone Industrial Estate where building 10A is located. |
| Q10 | parking | And will I have any parking problems there? | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows a person asking about potential parking issues at the location mentioned. Answer Explanation: The answer 'parking' refers to the availability of parking spaces at the location where the workshops are held. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'parking' because the person in the excerpt is concerned about having parking problems at the location, indicating a need for information about parking availability. |
Transcript
SARAH: Hello. Children’s Engineering Workshops.
FATHER: Oh hello. I wanted some information about the workshops in the school holidays.
SARAH: Sure.
FATHER: I have two daughters who are interested. The younger one’s Lydia, she’s four – do you take children as young as that?
SARAH: Yes, our Tiny Engineers workshop is for four to five-year-olds.
FATHER: What sorts of activities do they do?
SARAH: All sorts. For example, they work together to design a special cover that goes round an egg, so that when it’s inside they can drop it from a height and it doesn’t break. Well, sometimes it does break but that’s part of the fun!
FATHER: Right. And Lydia loves building things. Is there any opportunity for her to do that?
SARAH: Well, they have a competition to see who can make the highest tower. You’d be amazed how high they can go.
FATHER: Right.
SARAH: But they’re learning all the time as well as having fun. For example, one thing they do is to design and build a car that’s attached to a balloon, and the force of the air in that actually powers the car and makes it move along. They go really fast too.
FATHER: OK, well, all this sounds perfect.
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FATHER: Now Carly, that’s my older daughter, has just had her seventh birthday, so presumably she’d be in a different group?
SARAH: Yes, she’d be in the Junior Engineers. That’s for children from six to eight.
FATHER: And do they do the same sorts of activities?
SARAH: Some are the same, but a bit more advanced. So they work out how to build model vehicles, things like cars and trucks, but also how to construct animals using the same sorts of material and technique, and then they learn how they can program them and make them move.
FATHER: So they learn a bit of coding?
SARAH: They do. They pick it up really quickly. We’re there to help if they need it, but they learn from one another too.
FATHER: Right. And do they have competition too?
SARAH: Yes, with the Junior Engineers, it’s to use recycled materials like card and wood to build a bridge, and the longest one gets a prize.
FATHER: That sounds fun. I wouldn’t mind doing that myself!
SARAH: Then they have something a bit different, which is to think up an idea for a five-minute movie and then film it, using special animation software. You’d be amazed what they come up with.
FATHER: And of course, that’s something they can put on their phone and take home to show all their friends.
SARAH: Exactly. And then they also build a robot in the shape of a human, and they decorate it and program it so that it can move its arms and legs.
FATHER: Perfect. So, is it the same price as the Tiny Engineers?
SARAH: It’s just a bit more: £50 for the five weeks.
FATHER: And are the classes on a Monday, too?
SARAH: They used to be, but we found it didn’t give our staff enough time to clear up after the first workshop, so we moved them to Wednesdays. The classes are held in the morning from ten to eleven.
FATHER: OK. That’s better for me actually. And what about the location? Where exactly are the workshops held?
SARAH: They’re in building 10A – there’s a big sign on the door, you can’t miss it, and that’s in Fradstone Industrial Estate.
FATHER: Sorry?
SARAH: Fradstone – that’s F-R-A-D-S-T-O-N-E.
FATHER: And that’s in Grasford, isn’t it?
SARAH: Yes, up past the station.
FATHER: And will I have any parking problems there?
SARAH: No, there’s always plenty available. So would you like to enrol Lydia and Carly now?
FATHER: OK.
SARAH: So can I have your full name …