Cressida ‘S Work Placement - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From IELTS Trainer 1 Academic Listening Test 4 · Part 3 · Questions 21–30
Audio
Questions
Questions 21–26 Matching
Which attitude is associated with the following people during the conversation?
Choose SIX answers from the box and write the correct letter, A-H, next to questions 21-26.
A. amused
B. critical
C. forgetful
D. impatient
E. polite
F. relaxed
G. sympathetic
H. unrealistic
Questions 27–30 Multiple Choice (One Answer)
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q21 | A | Yes and you did entertain the class, they enjoyed your humour, but you informed them too | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that the students in the class liked Cressida's jokes and found her presentation to be fun and not just serious. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the other students in Cressida's class thought her presentation was funny and they had a good time watching it. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because Dr. Erskine states that Cressida's talk was entertaining and that the other students liked her jokes. When people find something entertaining or enjoy someone's humor, they are 'amused.' |
| Q22 | H | I mean, my expectations about what it would be like were too high. I'd been fantasising a bit about what I'd be doing | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Cressida explaining that she had imagined the job would be different and much better than it really was, which made her initial thoughts about the placement incorrect. Answer Explanation: The answer 'H' means Cressida's ideas or hopes for her job placement were not based on real life and were much better than what actually happened. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is H because Cressida admits that she was not being practical about what her work experience would involve. She says her expectations were too high and that she had been fantasising, which is a synonym for imagining things that are not real. This confirms that her initial attitude was unrealistic. |
| Q23 | B | Yes, I heard something similar from the producer – um, Ainsley Webb – who assessed your performance. He was quite negative about some of the things you did, and your initial attitude, I'm afraid | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that the producer, Ainsley Webb, looked at Cressida's work and gave a negative report about her actions and her starting attitude. Answer Explanation: The answer B means that Ainsley Webb was critical, which means he pointed out the mistakes or bad things about Cressida's work and behavior. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because Dr. Erskine says that Ainsley Webb, the producer who checked Cressida's work, was "quite negative" about what she did and how she acted at the beginning. When someone is negative about your performance, they are being critical of you. |
| Q24 | G | Well, better at this stage of your career than later. To be honest, I made the same kind of mistakes when I was your age. But anyway, as I say, I think the presentation yesterday went extremely well, and I will bear that in mind when I grade your work experience overall | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Dr Erskine telling Cressida that it is okay to make mistakes now and sharing that she did the same things herself, which proves she is being supportive and kind. Answer Explanation: The answer 'G' means Dr Erskine's attitude is sympathetic, which means she shows that she understands and cares about Cressida's feelings. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is G because Dr Erskine reacts kindly when Cressida admits she made a mistake by being late on her first day. Instead of being angry, Dr Erskine comforts her by saying she made similar mistakes herself when she was younger. This makes her 'understanding,' which is a synonym for sympathetic. Other characters in the story have different attitudes: the producer was 'negative' (critical), and the staff at the TV centre were 'perfectly civil' (polite). |
| Q25 | D | Well, he can be a bit abrupt if he's kept waiting. It's the one thing he really doesn't like | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that Professor Jenkins acts quickly and maybe a little rudely (abruptly) when people are late. Waiting is the main thing that makes him unhappy. Answer Explanation: The answer identifies Professor Jenkins as being impatient, which means he gets annoyed when he has to wait for people. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is D because Dr. Erskine describes Professor Jenkins's behavior when things are late. He mentions that the professor becomes 'abrupt'—which means sudden and potentially rude—if someone makes him wait. This lack of willingness to wait for students who miss deadlines shows that he is impatient. |
| Q26 | E | If I asked them how to do some particular operation, they were perfectly civil and would show me, and even say thank you for what I did do, but I felt awkward to keep asking | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the workers were 'civil,' which means they were kind and had good manners. They also said 'thank you' to Cressida for her help. Answer Explanation: The answer is E, which means the staff at the TV news centre were polite. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is E because Cressida says the staff were 'perfectly civil' when she asked them for help. In English, the word 'civil' is a synonym for 'polite.' She also mentions that they said 'thank you' for the work she finished, which is another example of being polite or well-mannered. |
| Q27 | B | The first couple of days were manic, the production team was short of staff and I was rushing all over the building taking messages to various people and fetching things | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that the student's first few days were very busy and she had to move around the entire building to give messages to others and bring them items they needed. Answer Explanation: The answer B means that at the start of her work training, Cressida had to go to different areas of the office to deliver messages and bring items to people. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because Cressida describes her first few days as being very busy (manic) because there were not enough workers. During this time, she had to go all over the building to carry messages and get things for the staff. These types of small tasks, like delivering notes or picking up items, are called 'errands.' She mentions seeing visitors, but she did not have the job of meeting them; instead, she accidentally talked to them while she was busy doing her other tasks. |
| Q28 | A | But I had a piece of luck at the end of the week because they got a new bit of equipment which was the same as we have in the editing suite here and I knew how to use it, which none of them did | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that Cressida considers it lucky that her workplace got a new machine that she already knew how to use from her school. Answer Explanation: The answer means that Cressida was lucky because she already knew how to operate a specific machine or tool that the TV center started using. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because Cressida specifically mentions having a "piece of luck" when the TV center received a new piece of equipment. She explains that she already knew how to use it because it was the same model she uses at her college, whereas the staff there did not know how to use it. This knowledge gave her "status" (respect) at work. Choice B is incorrect because she describes being stuck in the editing suite as "unfortunately." Choice C is also not quite right because while she went to an interview, it was to handle technical work, not to do the interviewing herself, and she did not use the word luck to describe that specific event. |
| Q29 | B | I mean, basically I need to think more about forward planning, but on the other hand I feel much more confident now | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Cressida talking about what she needs to do differently, specifically saying that she must focus more on planning for future tasks. Answer Explanation: The answer means that Cressida thinks she should be better at planning things in advance. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because Cressida says she must focus on 'forward planning' in the future. Forward planning means thinking about what you need to do before you start, which is a major part of having good organizational skills. She realized this after she failed to 'prepare properly' for her first day, which caused her to be late for her job. Keywords like 'forward planning' and 'prepare properly' show that she wants to improve her ability to organize herself. |
| Q30 | C | I had a bit of an argument with one of the senior presenters. He was editing part of an interview and he just changed something someone said | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that Cressida had a disagreement (an argument) with one of the main people who presents the news because he was being dishonest with how he edited someone's interview. Answer Explanation: The answer means that a fight or disagreement with a news professional gave Cressida the idea for her last school project. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because toward the end of the conversation, Cressida mentions she wants to write about 'ethics' (the study of what is right and wrong) for her final assignment. She explains that this idea came from having 'a bit of an argument' with a 'senior presenter' at the TV station. They disagreed because the presenter changed what a person said during an interview, which Cressida felt was wrong. This specific conflict or disagreement provided the topic for her work. |
Transcript
You will hear a conversation between Cressida, a student of journalism, and her tutor, Dr Erskine, about a work placement that she has recently done. First you have some time to look at questions 21 to 26.
[Pause the recording for 30 seconds.]
Now listen carefully and answer questions 21 to 26.
Dr Erskine: Well, Cressida, that was an interesting presentation you gave yesterday on your placement at the TV news centre.
Cressida: Thank you, Dr Erskine, I did work hard on it.
Dr Erskine: Yes and you did entertain the class, they enjoyed your humour, but you informed them too. But I felt there was a bit of a back story – you know, something you weren't telling us? So how was it really?
Cressida: Yeah, well, I learnt a lot, as I said. But I think some of the lessons weren't ones I wanted to share with the whole group. I mean, my expectations about what it would be like were too high. I'd been fantasising a bit about what I'd be doing. I mean, it all worked out OK in the end ... but I got off to a bad start.
Dr Erskine: Yes, I heard something similar from the producer – um, Ainsley Webb – who assessed your performance. He was quite negative about some of the things you did, and your initial attitude, I'm afraid. Would you like to give me your version?
Cressida: I didn't prepare properly is the main thing. On my first morning, I hadn't checked my commuting route properly, and I didn't notice that it says the buses don't start till six. I had to run all the way to the studio, but I was still late, and I looked a mess.
Dr Erskine: Well, better at this stage of your career than later. To be honest, I made the same kind of mistakes when I was your age. But anyway, as I say, I think the presentation yesterday went extremely well, and I will bear that in mind when I grade your work experience overall.
Cressida: Thank you for being so understanding.
Dr Erskine: Right. Now, have you completed your diary of what you did there? Professor Jenkins hasn't received it, he says.
Cressida: Um, yes, I have finished it, but I wanted to just tidy it up a bit. Some of it was written in a bit of a hurry. I'll email it to him this afternoon.
Dr Erskine: OK. But I'm afraid he says this will have to be the last time you submit late. Journalism is all about deadlines and if you can't manage them on your course he can't give you a diploma saying you're competent, can he?
Cressida: Oh. Yes. I'll do it straight after this. I didn't realise.
Dr Erskine: Well, he can be a bit abrupt if he's kept waiting. It's the one thing he really doesn't like. I'm sure everything is going to be fine. You're getting very good grades on your work, so, as long as you remember that.
Cressida: Yes.
Dr Erskine: Now, did you manage OK generally, do you think?
Cressida: Yeah, OK, I think. Well, it took a while to get to grips with all the equipment. Some of it was quite old, not as fast as what we have here in college and at first I kept thinking it was my fault – I wasn't pressing the right buttons, or something. The thing was, none of the TV centre staff asked me if I wanted instructions. If I asked them how to do some particular operation, they were perfectly civil and would show me, and even say thank you for what I did do, but I felt awkward to keep asking.
Before you hear the rest of the conversation, you have some time to look at questions 27 to 30.
[Pause the recording for 30 seconds.]
Now listen and answer questions 27 to 30.
Dr Erskine: Now, um, well, let's just review where you are, your write-up, and what you're going to include going forward to next term. First of all, did you eventually feel you were given enough to do?
Cressida: The first couple of days were manic, the production team was short of staff and I was rushing all over the building taking messages to various people and fetching things. Of course, I didn't know my way around, so I kept ending up in some store room or somewhere instead of the studio I was meant to be in. Or I mistook some important visitor for a colleague, because I didn't know who anyone was. Then after that, things sort-of calmed down, so sometimes I was hanging about until someone decided to give me a chore. But I had a piece of luck at the end of the week because they got a new bit of equipment which was the same as we have in the editing suite here and I knew how to use it, which none of them did. So that gave me a bit of status. Unfortunately it meant I spent the next three days stuck in the editing suite. But by the end, I'd shown I wasn't just a silly student, so then, when the senior reporter needed someone to go out with him when he went to interview a junior minister, I got to go along because he knew I could handle the technical side.
Dr Erskine: Well, that's good.
Cressida: Yes. Well, I know I need to learn from my mistakes. I mean, basically I need to think more about forward planning, but on the other hand I feel much more confident now; I did survive, I didn't ruin anything, I did actually make a contribution, according to the producer. One thing I want to take forward to my final assignment, though, is some reflections on ethics.
Dr Erskine: Yes?
Cressida: I had a bit of an argument with one of the senior presenters. He was editing part of an interview and he just changed something someone said. When I questioned him he just snubbed me. And I mean, this wasn't some public relations expert or government professional spokesperson, it was, like, a member of the public, but he said 'Oh they never remember what they said anyway'.
Dr Erskine: Mm ... you want to develop this into part of your final assignment? It would be a very positive line. I can give you some references.
Cressida: Oh, thanks, that would be great.
That is the end of section 3. You now have half a minute to check your answers.
[Pause the recording for 30 seconds.]
Now turn to section 4.