Global Design Competition - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 10 Academic Listening Test 1 · Part 3 · Questions 21–30
Audio
Questions
Questions 21–25 Multiple Choice (One Answer)
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Global Design Competition
Questions 26–30 Note Completion
Complete the notes below.
Write ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.
- John needs help preparing for his 26.
- The professor advises John to make a 27 of his design.
- John’s main problem is getting good quality 28.
- The professor suggests John apply for a 29.
- The professor will check the 30 information in John’s written report.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q21 | C | Well, it’s an international design competition and we have to come up with a new design for a typical domestic kitchen appliance. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript talks about an international design competition where participants have to create a new design for a household kitchen appliance. Answer Explanation: The answer choice C, which is 'develop a new use for current technology,' aligns with the requirement mentioned in the transcript. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the competition explicitly states that participants need to come up with a new design for a regular kitchen appliance, indicating the need to develop a new use for current technology. |
| Q22 | A | I think some people will be prepared to pay a little extra for something that looks different. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript suggests that some people are willing to spend a little more money on something that looks different. Answer Explanation: The answer suggests that John chose a dishwasher to make dishwashers more appealing. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'more appealing' because the excerpt indicates that John believes people are willing to pay extra for a product that looks different, which aligns with the intention of making dishwashers more appealing. |
| Q23 | B | Instead of pushing a button, you turn the stone. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript talks about how you use the stone in John's 'Rockpool' design by turning it instead of pressing a button. Answer Explanation: The answer choice B suggests that the stone is used to switch something on. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the excerpt mentions that, instead of pressing a button, you turn the stone. This implies that the stone is used for the action of switching something on. |
| Q24 | A | That’s where the liquid is depressurised and so it reverts to a gas. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript is saying that when the liquid is depressurised, it changes back into a gas. Answer Explanation: The answer refers to the process described in the transcript where the carbon dioxide changes back to a gas. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the excerpt clearly states that the liquid reverts to a gas when it is depressurised, matching the description in the answer choice 'changes back to a gas.' |
| Q25 | C | The carbon dioxide is sent back to the cylinder and can be used again and again. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the carbon dioxide is sent back to the cylinder and can be used again and again, which implies that it is collected and ready to be re-used. Answer Explanation: The answer indicates that the carbon dioxide is collected ready to be re-used, meaning it is stored for future use instead of being wasted or released into the air. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the excerpt states that the carbon dioxide is sent back to the cylinder for reuse, supporting the idea that it is collected and ready to be re-used. |
| Q26 | presentation | Well, my design has made it to the final stage of the competition and, in a few months’ time. I have to give a presentation, and that’s the part I was hoping you could help me with. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that John needs help with a part of a competition in a few months, specifically with giving a talk or showing his project to others. Answer Explanation: The answer means a talk or speech a person gives to explain or show something to an audience. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer fits the context as John mentions needing help with a 'presentation' for the final stage of the competition. It aligns with the idea of giving a talk or showing a project to others, which is commonly known as a presentation. |
| Q27 | model | I see. Well, if you want to stand a good chance of winning you really need a model of the machine. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that John needs to have a model of the machine to help him prepare for something. Answer Explanation: The answer 'model' refers to a representation or replica of something, in this case, the machine. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'model' because the excerpt mentions that having a model of the machine is crucial for John to improve his preparation. A model is a physical or conceptual representation used to study, analyze, or predict how something works. |
| Q28 | material / materials | Yes. I want it to look professional but everything that’s top quality is also very expensive. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript tells us that John wants his work to look nice and professional. But he's worried because good-quality things are expensive. Answer Explanation: The answer explains what John needs for his project. He needs materials to make his design. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "materials" because the excerpt says John is worried about the cost of high-quality things. This means he needs to buy things like wood, metal, paint, or other things to build his design, and these things are called "materials." |
| Q29 | grant | So why don’t you talk to the university about a grant? I can help you fill out the application forms if you like. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript suggests that John should speak to the university about receiving financial assistance, known as a grant, to help him with his preparation. Answer Explanation: The answer 'grant' refers to financial support provided by an organization to help an individual with specific tasks, in this case, to assist John with his preparation. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'grant' because it matches the context of seeking financial aid for John's preparation, as indicated in the excerpt where the professor recommends applying for a grant. This aligns perfectly with the purpose of a grant, which is to provide financial assistance for various endeavors. |
| Q30 | technical | You’d better show me this paper you’ve written as well. For a global competition such as this you need to make sure the technical details you’ve given are accurate and thorough. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript suggests that John needs to ensure that the technical details in his written report are accurate and thorough for a global competition. Answer Explanation: The answer 'technical' refers to specific details related to a particular subject or field of study. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'technical' because the professor mentions the need for accurate and thorough technical details in John's report, emphasizing the importance of precise information in a specialized context like a global competition. |
Transcript
JOHN: Erm … hello Professor, I’m John Wishart. I’m working on my entry for the Global Design Competition. My tutor said you might be able to help me with it.
PROFESSOR: Ah, yes, I got a copy of your drawings. Come in and tell me about it. What sort of competition is it?
JOHN: Well, it’s an international design competition and we have to come up with a new design for a typical domestic kitchen appliance.
PROFESSOR: I see, and are there any special conditions? Does it have to save energy for example?
JOHN: Actually that was the focus in last year’s competition. This year’s different. We have to adopt an innovative approach to existing technology, using it in a way that hasn’t been thought of before.
PROFESSOR: I see, that sounds tricky. And what kitchen appliance have you chosen?
JOHN: Well, they’re an everyday kitchen appliance in most Australian houses but they’re all pretty boring and almost identical to each other. I think some people will be prepared to pay a little extra for something that looks different.
PROFESSOR: That’s a nice idea. I see you’ve called your design ‘the Rockpool’; why is that?
JOHN: Basically because it looks like the rock pools you find on a beach. The top is made of glass so that you can look down into it.
PROFESSOR: And there’s a stone at the bottom. Is that just for decoration?
JOHN: Actually it does have a function. Instead of pushing a button, you turn the stone.
PROFESSOR: So it’s really just a novel way of starting the dishwasher.
JOHN: That’s right.
PROFESSOR: It’s a really nice design, but what makes it innovative?
JOHN: Well, I decided to make a dishwasher that uses carbon dioxide.
PROFESSOR: In place of water and detergent? How will you manage that?
JOHN: The idea is to pressurize the carbon dioxide so that it becomes a liquid. The fluid is then released into the dishwasher where it cleans the dishes all by itself.
PROFESSOR: Sounds like a brilliant idea! Your system will totally do away with the need for strong detergents. So what happens once the dishes are clean?
JOHN: Well, to allow them to dry, the liquid carbon dioxide and the waste materials all go to an area called the holding chamber. That’s where the liquid is depressurised and so it reverts to a gas. Then the oil and grease are separated out and sent to the waste system.
PROFESSOR: It sounds like you’ve thought it all out very thoroughly. So, what happens to the carbon dioxide once the process is complete? Not wasted I hope.
JOHN: Actually, that’s where the real savings are made. The carbon dioxide is sent back to the cylinder and can be used again and again.
PROFESSOR: What a terrific idea. Do you think it will ever be built?
JOHN: Probably not, but that’s OK.
PROFESSOR: Well, I’m sure a lot of positive things will come out of your design.
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PROFESSOR: Now, you seem to have thought about everything so what exactly did you need me to help you with?
JOHN: Well, my design has made it to the final stage of the competition and, in a few months’ time. I have to give a presentation, and that’s the part I was hoping you could help me with.
PROFESSOR: Right, well that should be easy enough. What have you managed to do so far?
JOHN: Well, I’ve got detailed drawings to show how it will work and I’ve also written a 500-word paper on it.
PROFESSOR: I see. Well, if you want to stand a good chance of winning you really need a model of the machine.
JOHN: Yes, I thought I might but I’m having a few problems.
PROFESSOR: What is the main difficulty so far? Let me guess – is it the materials?
JOHN: Yes. I want it to look professional but everything that’s top quality is also very expensive.
PROFESSOR: Look, projects like this are very important to us. They really help lift our profile. So why don’t you talk to the university about a grant? I can help you fill out the application forms if you like.
JOHN: That would be a great.
PROFESSOR: You’d better show me this paper you’ve written as well. For a global competition such as this you need to make sure the technical details you’ve given are accurate and thorough.
JOHN: That would be a great help.
PROFESSOR: Is there anything else I can do?
JOHN: Well, I’m really …