First Day at Language School - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 03 Academic Listening Test 2 · Part 1 · Questions 1–10
Audio
Questions
Questions 1–5 Table Completion
Complete the table below.
Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS OR A NUMBER for each answer.
| Time | Place | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Example
10.00 |
1 | Meet the Principal and staff |
| 10.15 | Talk by 2 | |
| 10.45 | Talk by 3 | |
| 4 | Classroom 5 | 5 test |
Questions 6–10 Map Labeling
Label the rooms on the map below.
Choose your answers from the box below and write them next to questions 6-10.
CL. Computer Laboratory | DO. Director’s Office | L. Library
MH. Main Hall | S. Storeroom | SAR. Self Access Room
SCR. Student Common Room | SR. Staff Room
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | the Main Hall / Main Hall | At 10 o’clock, all the new students will gather in the Main Hall to meet the Principal and the rest of the staff | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that at 10:00 am, all the new students will meet together in the room called the Main Hall to meet the school's leader and workers. Answer Explanation: The answer is the specific name of the room where students go at 10:00 am to meet the school leaders. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is found by looking at the start of the schedule. The receptionist mentions that the first activity begins at 10 o'clock and that students must go to the Main Hall to meet the Principal. You must use the word 'Main' because it is the actual name of the room, and just 'Hall' is not specific enough. |
| Q2 | the Director / Director / Director of Studies | the Principal’s talk will last about fifteen minutes and then the Director of Studies will talk to you for half an hour | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that the first speech lasts 15 minutes. Since the program starts at 10:00, the second speaker—the Director of Studies—starts at 10:15. Answer Explanation: The answer is the Director of Studies, who is the person in charge of managing the teachers and the school's lessons. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is found by looking at the schedule's timing. The activities start at 10:00. The principal talks first for 15 minutes. This means at 10:15, the next person begins their talk. The transcript says the Director of Studies will talk after the Principal. Keywords to note are 'Principal's talk', 'fifteen minutes', and 'then'. |
| Q3 | the Student Advisor / Student Advisor / the Student adviser / Student adviser / the Student Adviser / Student Adviser / the Student advisor / Student advisor | the Principal’s talk will last about fifteen minutes and then the Director of Studies will talk to you for half an hour about the courses and the different requirements for each. After that, the Student Adviser will tell you about the various services and activities we offer to students | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains the schedule: after the first 15-minute talk and the following 30-minute talk are finished, the Student Adviser is the next person to speak to the students. Answer Explanation: The answer is the official title of the person who gives a presentation to the new students starting at 10:45 AM. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is determined by following the timeline described in the transcript. The morning activities begin at 10:00. The first talk lasts 15 minutes, and the second talk lasts for "half an hour" (30 minutes). By adding these durations together (15 + 30 = 45), we find that the third speaker starts at 10:45. The transcript identifies this person as the Student Adviser. |
| Q4 | 11 o'clock / 11 / 11.00 am / 11.00 / 11:00 am / 11:00 | And then you’ll go next door to Classroom 5 at 11 o’clock.STUDENT: What happens there?RECEPTIONIST: You’ll have a test | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the receptionist giving the time (11 o'clock) for the visit to Classroom 5 to take a test. Answer Explanation: The answer identifies 11:00 am as the time students must be in Classroom 5. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is based on the timetable explained by the receptionist. After the morning meetings in the Main Hall, she specifically tells the student that the next location is Classroom 5. She states the time for this transition is 11 o’clock. When the student asks what they will do there, she clarifies that they will 'have a test'. This matches the row in the table asking for the time related to Classroom 5 and a test. |
| Q5 | a placement / placement / an English / English | It’s just a placement test to help us find your level of English so that we can put you in the right class | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the purpose of the test is to see the students' English ability and place them in the correct classroom group. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the activity happening in Classroom 5 is a test to check how much English a student knows. This helps the school put the student in a class that matches their skill level. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is based on the receptionist's description of what happens at 11 o'clock. She states that students go to Classroom 5 for a "test." When the student asks what kind of test it is, she clarifies that it is a "placement test" designed to determine their "level of English" so they can be assigned to the correct class. |
| Q6 | L | Walk along past the Language Laboratory and then past the Library, which is next to the Language Lab, on the same side, and facing you is the Main Hall, at the end of the corridor. You can’t miss it.STUDENT: So it’s next to the Library, in fact.RECEPTIONIST: Yes, that’s right | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that on the way to the Main Hall (which is at the end of the hallway), you first pass the Language Laboratory and then the Library. The student confirms that the Library is located directly beside the Main Hall. Answer Explanation: The answer is the Library. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is found by following the receptionist's directions to the Main Hall. She states that to get there, you walk down the corridor, turn left, and walk past both the Language Laboratory and the Library. She mentions that the Library is located next to the Language Lab on the same side of the hallway. Finally, the student clarifies that the Library is positioned right next to the Main Hall, which is at the end of the hall. |
| Q7 | MH | Now, to get to the Main Hall, you walk on to the end of this corridor in front of you and then you turn left. Walk along past the Language Laboratory and then past the Library, which is next to the Language Lab, on the same side, and facing you is the Main Hall, at the end of the corridor | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript gives step-by-step instructions on how to find the room. It describes the path (turning left), the rooms you pass (the Language Laboratory and the Library), and where it is located (at the end of the corridor). Answer Explanation: The answer is the Main Hall, which is the large room used for meetings between students and school staff. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is determined by following the directions given by the receptionist. She explains that from the Reception desk, a person should walk down the hallway and turn left. After passing both the Language Laboratory and the Library, the room located at the very end of that hall is the Main Hall. |
| Q8 | CL | You go down to the end of this corridor again but, this time, don’t turn left; turn right, away from the Main Hall. The Computer Lab. is immediately on your right. OK | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the person should walk to the end of the hall and turn right instead of left. When they do that, the Computer Laboratory will be the very first room on their right side. Answer Explanation: The answer is the Computer Laboratory, which is a room where students go to use computers. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is identified by following the receptionist's directions from the front desk. She instructs the student to walk to the end of the hallway and turn right, going the opposite way from the Main Hall. She explains that the room is then right there on the student's right side. Important words to listen for are 'end of this corridor', 'turn right', and 'immediately on your right'. |
| Q9 | SR | The staff room is near the main entrance, on the left over there, just opposite the Reception desk | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the room for teachers is located close to the front door of the school. It is on the left side and is across from the front desk. Answer Explanation: The answer is the Staff Room, which is a place for teachers and school workers. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is the Staff Room because the receptionist explains its location during the conversation. She says it is close to the school's front door and is located directly across from the front desk where she works. Keywords to listen for include 'near the main entrance' and 'opposite the Reception desk'. |
| Q10 | SCR | RECEPTIONIST: Oh yes, I forgot to mention that. It’s this area here, very close to where we are now, to the right of the Reception desk as you come in the main entrance | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the room is found near the reception area and is on the right side of the desk as a person enters from the main doors. Answer Explanation: The answer is the Student Common Room (SCR), which is a place where students can go to relax or talk to friends. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is identified by the directions given by the receptionist. She describes the room's location as being very close to the reception desk. She specifically says it is on the right side of the desk when you walk through the main entrance. |
Transcript
RECEPTIONIST: Sorry to keep you waiting. Well, firstly, let me give you this booklet. It tells you a bit more about the school, the courses and the social activities we offer. Now, on the first page, there’s an outline of this morning’s activities. There, you see? The programme starts at 10 o’clock.
Try not to be late as it’s a very full day.
At 10 o’clock, all the new students will gather in the Main Hall to meet the Principal and the rest of the staff. In fact, you spend most of the morning in the Main Hall.
STUDENT: Where’s that?
RECEPTIONIST: I’ll show you in a minute. Just let me quickly run through this morning’s events first and then I’ll explain how to get there.
STUDENT: Yes, OK.
RECEPTIONIST: Right. Where were we? Yes, so, the Principal’s talk will last about fifteen minutes and then the Director of Studies will talk to you for half an hour about the courses and the different requirements for each. After that, the Student Adviser will tell you about the various services and activities we offer to students. Any questions?
STUDENT: So, all of this is in the Main Hall?
RECEPTIONIST: That’s right. And then you’ll go next door to Classroom 5 at 11 o’clock.
STUDENT: What happens there?
RECEPTIONIST: You’ll have a test.
STUDENT: Test? I don’t like the sound of that. What sort of test?
RECEPTIONIST: Oh, it’s nothing to worry about. It’s just a placement test to help us find your level of English so that we can put you in the right class. It won’t last long.
STUDENT: But how do I find the Main Hall?
RECEPTIONIST: Right; if you look on the back of the booklet I gave you, you’ll see a map of the school. Let me show you. Look: you came in through the Main Entrance, here, and now we’re here at Reception. Now, to get to the Main Hall, you walk on to the end of this corridor in front of you and then you turn left. Walk along past the Language Laboratory and then past the Library, which is next to the Language Lab, on the same side, and facing you is the Main Hall, at the end of the corridor. You can’t miss it.
STUDENT: So it’s next to the Library, in fact.
RECEPTIONIST: Yes, that’s right.
STUDENT: I should be able to find that. And do you have a Computer Laboratory?
RECEPTIONIST: Yes, we do.
STUDENT: Could you tell me where that is?
RECEPTIONIST: Certainly, yes. You go down to the end of this corridor again but, this time, don’t turn left; turn right, away from the Main Hall. The Computer Lab. is immediately on your right. OK?
STUDENT: And where’s the staff room, in case I need to find a teacher at some stage?
RECEPTIONIST: The staff room is near the main entrance, on the left over there, just opposite the Reception desk. In a day or two, I’m sure you’ll find your way around very easily.
STUDENT: Oh, one last thing. Is there a student common room?
RECEPTIONIST: Oh yes, I forgot to mention that. It’s this area here, very close to where we are now, to the right of the Reception desk as you come in the main entrance. There’s tea and coffee facilities there.
STUDENT: Great. Thank you very much.
RECEPTIONIST: You’re welcome.