Factsheet – Aluminium Cans - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 01 Academic Listening Test 4 · Part 3 · Questions 22–31
Audio
Questions
Questions 22–25 Note Completion
Complete the factsheet. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
FACTSHEET - Aluminium Cans
- 22 produced every day in the US — more cans produced than nails or 23
- each can weighs 0.48 ounces — thinner than two 24
- can take more than 90 pounds of pressure per square inch — over 25 the pressure of a car tyre
Questions 26–31 Diagram Labeling
Label the aluminium can. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q22 | 300 million / 300 000 000 / 300,000,000 / 300000000 | Well, here it says that in the US they produce 300 million aluminium drink cans each day |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Ilmar reading a document that says factories in the USA make 300 million aluminum cans for drinks during a single day. Answer Explanation: The answer is the number 300,000,000 (three hundred million). This is how many cans are made in the United States every single day. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 300 million because the person in the transcript, Ilmar, reads this specific number from an article he found. He says that in the US, manufacturers produce 300 million aluminum drink cans every day, which matches the information needed for the factsheet. |
| Q23 | paper clips | It says here "outstrips the production of nails or paper clips" | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that the huge amount of cans produced is even larger than the amount of nails or paper clips made. Answer Explanation: The answer "paper clips" is a small metal object used to hold pieces of paper together. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "paper clips" because the text compares the huge number of drink cans made every day to other common items. It says that the number of cans is higher than the number of nails or paper clips produced. In this context, "outstrips" is a keyword that means there are more cans being made than there are nails or paper clips. |
| Q24 | magazine pages / pieces of paper / pages | Mmm this bit's interesting "today's can weighs about 0.48 ounces: thinner than two pieces of paper from this magazine say." |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Dawn reading a specific detail about the thickness of an aluminium can, stating it is thinner than two pages or pieces of paper. Answer Explanation: The answer means that a soda can is very thin, specifically thinner than two sheets of paper or two pages from a magazine. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is found in the section where Dawn reads facts from the article. She mentions that a can weighs 0.48 ounces and is thinner than "two pieces of paper" coming from a "magazine." Because the factsheet asks what the can is thinner than given the weight, these keywords provide the necessary information. |
| Q25 | three times / 3 times | More than 90 pounds of pressure per square inch — three times the pressure of a car tyre | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the can is very strong. The force pushing out from the inside (pressure) is three times higher than the force inside a tire on a car. Answer Explanation: The answer "three times" describes how much stronger the air pressure inside the can is compared to the air pressure inside a car's wheel. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "three times" because Dawn mentions that the can is strong enough to handle 90 pounds of pressure. She specifically says that this amount of pressure is "three times" the amount found in a car tyre. The factsheet uses the word "over" before the answer to show it is a very large amount. |
| Q26 | thicker | It's made of aluminium, of course, and it's thicker at the bottom | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the can is made of a metal called aluminum, and the metal is thicker (less thin) at the very bottom. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the metal at the bottom of the can is not thin; it has more material to make it stronger. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is found when the speakers talk about the main part (the body) of the drink can. Dawn explains that the aluminum metal changes in size, becoming thicker at the bottom of the can so it can handle the pressure from the drink inside. |
| Q27 | label | And then I think you should draw another line from the body for the label.I: Right "label". The aluminium is ironed out until it's so thin that it produces what does it say?D: "A reflective surface suitable for decoration." | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the students deciding to use the word 'label' for the shiny, thin part of the can that is used for decorations and advertisements. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'label', which is the part of the can where the company prints the name of the drink and colorful pictures. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'label' because, during their discussion about drawing the can, Dawn suggests adding a line specifically for this part. Ilmar agrees and mentions that the aluminium in this section is made very thin to create a shiny surface that is perfect for decoration and advertisements. |
| Q28 | a dome / dome | D: Yes, it says the bottom of the can is shaped like a dome so that it can resist the internal pressure | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that the bottom of the drink can is made in the shape of a dome so it can handle the pressure from the drink inside without breaking. Answer Explanation: The answer is "dome", which describes the curved shape of the bottom of the drink can. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "dome" because the transcript specifically mentions that the base or bottom of the can has this shape. This design is used to help the can handle the internal pressure from the beverage inside. The speaker uses the word "shaped" to describe the physical appearance of this part of the can. |
| Q29 | flange | There's the rim around the edge which seals the can.I: Got that. And there's a funny word for the seal isn't there?D: Yes, it's a flange | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Dawn describing the part that closes the can as a rim or seal, and then she gives the specific name for it: "flange." Answer Explanation: The answer is the technical name for the part of the can that joins the lid to the body to keep it closed. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is identified when Dawn and Ilmar discuss the parts of the can's lid. Dawn mentions a rim around the edge that acts as a seal (a closure that prevents leaking). When Ilmar asks if there is a specific word for that seal, Dawn provides the term "flange." |
| Q30 | 25% / 25 percent | I think we should label the lid itself and say that it constitutes twenty five percent of the total weight | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Dawn saying that the top part (the lid) should be labeled to show it is 25% of how much the whole can weighs. Answer Explanation: The answer 25% is the amount of the can's total weight that comes from its lid. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 25% because Dawn suggests labeling the lid with this specific detail while they are planning their presentation. She explains that the lid makes up a large part of the can's weight. The word 'constitutes' is a key term here, which means 'makes up' or 'accounts for' a certain amount. This percentage explains why the lid is stronger than other parts of the can. |
| Q31 | scored opening | Anyway the opening is scored so that it pushes in easily but doesn't detach itself.I: OK, we can show that by drawing a shadow of it inside the can, like this I'll label it scored opening | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Dawn talking about the opening of the can being 'scored' so it can push in without falling off. Ilmar agrees and says he will use the label 'scored opening' on his drawing. Answer Explanation: The answer 'scored opening' refers to the specific part of the soda can lid that is pushed down when you pull the tab to drink. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is found because Ilmar and Dawn are listing names for parts of a can to put on a drawing. Dawn describes the 'opening' and says it is 'scored'—which means it has a line cut into the surface to make it weak in that specific spot. Ilmar decides to use these words together to create the name 'scored opening' for their label. |
Transcript
I = Ilmar
D = Dawn
I: Hi, Dawn.
D: Oh hi, Ilmar.
I: I'm glad I've bumped into you. I've just found a great idea for the presentation we've got to do for Dr Banks next month.
D: What, the one on everyday objects?
I: Yes ... look at this article ... it's really interesting.
D: The aluminium coke can?
I: You know ... coca cola cans, soft drink cans. Look let's sit down here. Have you got a minute?
D: Sure ... I'll just get my bag.
D: OK, so you think we can get a presentation out of this article?
I: I'm sure we can. First of all we can provide some interesting facts about the aluminium cans that we drink out of every day.
D: Like ... ?
I: Well, here ... it says that in the US they produce 300 million aluminium drink cans each day.
D: Wow! 300 million!
I: Exactly. That's an enormous number. It says here "outstrips the production of nails or paper clips". And they say that the manufacturers of these cans exercise as much attention and precision in producing them as aircraft manufacturers do when they make the wing of an aircraft!
D: Really! Let's have a look.
I: They're trying to produce the perfect can - as thin but as strong as possible.
D: Mmm ... this bit's interesting ... "today's can weighs about 0.48 ounces: thinner than two pieces of paper ... from this magazine say."
I: Yeah, and yet it can take a lot of weight.
D: More than 90 pounds of pressure per square inch — three times the pressure of a car tyre. OK, I agree, it's a good topic.
I: What I thought was that we could do a large picture of a coke can and label it and then talk about the different parts. Look, I've done a rough picture here.
D: OK, so where shall we start?
I: Well, the lid is complicated. Let's start with the body first. I'll do a line from the centre of the can ... like this ... and label it "body ". What does it say?
D: It's made of aluminium, of course, and it's thicker at the bottom.
I: Right, so that it can take all that pressure.
D: And then I think you should draw another line from the body for the label.
I: Right "label". The aluminium is ironed out until it's so thin that it produces what does it say?
D: "A reflective surface suitable for decoration."
I: That's right apparently it helps advertisers, too.
D: Yes, because it's so attractively decorated.
I: Good ... and then there's the base.
D: Yes, it says the bottom of the can is shaped like a dome so that it can resist the internal pressure.
I: That's interesting. I didn't know that.
D: Nor did I. OK, so going up to the lid ... there are several things we can label here. There's the rim around the edge which seals the can.
I: Got that. And there's a funny word for the seal isn't there?
D: Yes, it's a flange
I: What does it say about it?
D: Well, the can's filled with coke or whatever and after that the top of the can is trimmed and then bent over to secure the lid.
I: That's right, it looks like a seam. We could even do a blow-up of it like this F-L-A-N-G-E ...
D: Yes, that would be clearer. I think we should label the lid itself and say that it constitutes twenty five percent of the total weight.
I: Twenty-five percent ... so it's stronger than the body of the can.
D: So to save money, manufacturers make it smaller than the rest of the can!
I: Didn't know that either ... so how do we open a can of coke?
D: Mmm ... first of all there's the tab which we pull up to open the can and that's held in place by a rivet.
I: Mmm ... I think that's too small for us to include.
D: I agree, but we can talk about it in the presentation. We can show the opening though
I: That's the bit of the can that drops down into the drink when we pull the tab.
D: Yeah, hopefully. Sometimes the tab just breaks off.
I: I know.
D: Anyway the opening is scored so that it pushes in easily but doesn't detach itself.
I: OK, we can show that by drawing a shadow of it inside the can, like this I'll label it scored opening. Great ... well, I think we've got the basis of a really interesting presentation. Let's go and photocopy the article.
D: Fine. I'll take it home and study it some more.