Guide to Radford and the University - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 02 Academic Listening Test 3 · Part 2 · Questions 14–23
Audio
Questions
Questions 14–17 Matching
Circle FOUR letters A - G.
Which FOUR activities (in order) of the Union are mentioned by the speaker?
A. raising money for good causes
B. political campaigning
C. running a newsagent's
D. running a supermarket
E. providing cheap tickets
F. helping with accommodation
G. providing catering services
Questions 18–19 Two Choices
circle TWO letters A - E.
Questions 20–23 Matching
Write the appropriate letters A - C against Questions 17 - 20.
What are the locations of the following places in Radford?
A. part of the Metro Tower building
B. in the main square in the centre of the town
C. some distance from the centre of the town
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q14 | A | Many of these events are fund raising activities for charities, which the Union takes very seriously | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that many of the events organized by the Student Union are held to collect money for charity groups, and they consider this work very important. Answer Explanation: The answer identifies collecting money to help people or organizations in need as one of the Union's activities. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because Elizabeth mentions that the Student Union organizes many events designed to collect money for charities. In this context, 'fund raising' is another way of saying 'raising money,' and 'charities' are organizations that support 'good causes.' |
| Q15 | C | They manage the Students' Union paper-shop, selling magazines and newspapers, as well as stationery, sweets and so on | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the Student Union is in charge of a store on campus where students can buy reading materials like newspapers and magazines, along with paper (stationery) and candy (sweets). Answer Explanation: The answer means that one of the services the Student Union provides is running a newsagent’s, which is a shop that sells newspapers, magazines, and other small items. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the speaker explicit mentions that the Student Union manages a "paper-shop." She clarifies that this shop sells magazines and newspapers. In English-speaking countries, a store that specializes in these items is called a newsagent's (or newsstand). |
| Q16 | E | there's the Ticket Shop, where you can get some very good deals on, well for example, coaches to London or inexpensive charter flights, as cheap as you'll get anywhere people say, or tickets for big pop groups playing here or at other venues all over the country, or plays in London—oh and we mustn't forget the Union Cafeteria and the Big New Diner | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript talks about a place called the Ticket Shop where students can buy tickets for bus rides, cheap airplane trips, concerts, and plays for a low cost. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the Students' Union sells tickets for travel and events at low prices. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is E because the speaker mentions a 'Ticket Shop' run by the Union. She explains that students can get 'very good deals' (meaning low prices) at this shop for things like bus trips to London, 'inexpensive' (cheap) flights, and tickets for concerts or theater plays. The word 'inexpensive' and the phrase 'as cheap as you'll get anywhere' directly support this choice. |
| Q17 | G | oh and we mustn't forget the Union Cafeteria and the Big New Diner | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript lists a cafeteria and a diner as part of the Student Union's facilities. These are both types of restaurants or dining areas where food is served. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the Student Union provides places for students to eat and drink. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is G because Elizabeth mentions the Union Cafeteria and the Big New Diner. The term 'catering services' refers to the activity of providing food and drink to people, which is exactly what a cafeteria and a diner do. |
| Q18 | — | — | |
| Q19 | B / E | Yes, the Union run their own advice service, offering help with financial matters such as grants. I am sure you realise anything medical should be discussed with the University Medical Service, which also has an excellent counselling centre. I think that was made clear yesterday. However the Union has its own officer who can give advice on legal problems | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that the Union provides help with money issues, like grants, and has a person who can give answers about law issues (legal problems). Answer Explanation: The answer means that at the Student Union, you can get help and information about money for school (grants) and laws (legal matters). Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B and E because Elizabeth explains that the Student Union has an advice service for students. She specifically states they help with "financial matters," using grants as an example. She also mentions that the Union has a specific person (an officer) to help with "legal problems." |
| Q20 | C | As you go into Radford, there's a new well, quite new Olympic-size swimming pool. That's on the outskirts at a place called Renton. Above the pool there's a hi-tech fitness centre |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that there is a swimming pool in a place called Renton on the edge (outskirts) of town, and the fitness center is located right above it. Answer Explanation: The answer C means that the high-tech fitness center is located away from the middle of the town. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the speaker explains that the swimming pool is on the outskirts of the town in a place called Renton. She then mentions that the hi-tech fitness center is located directly above that pool. In English, the word outskirts refers to the outer parts of a town or city, which are some distance from the center. Therefore, the fitness center is not in the middle of Radford. |
| Q21 | A | Well, the new Metro Tower, right in the centre of town has got an ice rink and a sports hall for squash, badminton, volleyball and several other indoor sports | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that the Metro Tower building includes an ice rink and a sports hall for various games. Answer Explanation: The answer A means the ice rink is located inside the building called the Metro Tower. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because Elizabeth mentions that the new Metro Tower building has an ice rink. She lists several facilities found inside that specific building, and the ice rink is the first one she mentions. In English, when we say a building 'has got' something, it means that thing is located inside or is a part of that building. |
| Q22 | A | Well, the new Metro Tower, right in the centre of town has got an ice rink and a sports hall for squash, badminton, volleyball and several other indoor sports. And in the same building there's a new cinema with six screens | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript mentions the Metro Tower building includes many sports facilities and then confirms that the new cinema is also found inside that same building. Answer Explanation: The answer is that the new cinema is located inside the Metro Tower building. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the speaker says the new cinema is in the same building as the Metro Tower's ice rink and sports hall. When she says 'in the same building,' she's referring to the Metro Tower building that she just introduced. |
| Q23 | B | Er then, let me see, in the main square, just two minutes' walk from the Metro Tower, there's the Theatre Royal, which often gets London productions on tour |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the Theatre Royal is found in the town's main square, which is very close to the Metro Tower building. Answer Explanation: The answer B means that the Theatre Royal is located in the primary square in the center of the town. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the speaker explicitly locations the Theatre Royal in the main square of Radford. Key phrases like 'in the main square' and descriptions of its proximity to other central landmarks confirm this is the right choice. Learners should look for specific place names like 'main square' to determine the location. |
Transcript
ELIZABETH: OK, well, good morning everybody! My name's Elizabeth Reed and I'm your Assistant Welfare Officer. What I'd like to do now is tell you a little more about some of the er...the social facilities available on the campus, and also to tell you something about what the town has to offer.
As you probably know already, the Student Union Building is the main centre of social life here, as indeed it is in most British Universities. The Union runs a weekly programme of events for all tastes...oh everything from discos to talks by guest speakers. Many of these events are fund raising activities for charities, which the Union takes very seriously. They manage the Students' Union paper-shop, selling magazines and newspapers, as well as stationery, sweets and so on. Um...Then...er, let me see...there's the Ticket Shop, where you can get some very good deals on, well for example, coaches to London or inexpensive charter flights, as cheap as you'll get anywhere people say, or tickets for big pop groups playing here or at other venues all over the country, or plays in London—oh and we mustn't forget the Union Cafeteria and the Big New Diner...Er...yes? Did you have a question?
STUDENT: Yes, does the Union also provide help with any problems, I mean advice on financial problems, for example? Or does the University provide that?
ELIZABETH: Yes, the Union run their own advice service, offering help with financial matters such as grants. I am sure you realise anything medical should be discussed with the University Medical Service, which also has an excellent counselling centre. I think that was made clear yesterday. However the Union has its own officer who can give advice on legal problems.
Now, onto Radford. For a town of its size, Radford has some unusually good leisure and community facilities and has quite a good shopping centre, with an interesting range of shops. As you go into Radford, there's a new...well, quite new...Olympic-size swimming pool. That's on the outskirts at a place called Renton. Above the pool there's a hi-tech fitness centre. Are there any ice skaters here? No? Oh, pity! The facilities for ice-skating are excellent. Well, the new Metro Tower, right in the centre of town has got an ice rink and a sports hall for squash, badminton, volleyball and several other indoor sports. And in the same building there's a new cinema with six screens. Er...then, let me see, in the main square, just two minutes' walk from the Metro Tower, there's the Theatre Royal, which often gets London productions on tour...and in the streets nearby you can find a good range of inexpensive restaurants including Indian, Chinese, Thai and...