Homestay Organisation - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From IELTS Recent Actual Test 3 Academic Listening Test 4 · Part 2 · Questions 11–20
Audio
Questions
Questions 11–14 Multiple Choice (One Answer)
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Questions 15–20 Flow Chart Completion
Complete the flow-chart below.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.
HOW TO APPLY FOR A HOMESTAY
Visit the website and contact the advisor
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Keep in touch with the 15
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Provide two photos, one for the host family, and the other for 16
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Send in some documents to confirm your 17
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Receive 18 within 7 working days
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Have a(n) 19 in London
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Pay the extra fee for a fast-track service
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Receive a written 20
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q11 | C | while providing travellers with often discounted accommodation costs, and host families with a steady income from the comfort of their own homes | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the program gives travelers cheaper places to stay while giving host families a regular flow of money from their own house. Answer Explanation: The answer means that families who host travelers will get a regular and reliable amount of money. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the speaker mentions that host families get a 'steady income'. In English, 'steady' is a synonym for 'stable', meaning the payment happens regularly and can be counted on. This contradicts choice A, as 'steady' does not necessarily mean 'big', and choice B, because they are definitely getting paid. |
| Q12 | B | Connection's advice for those suffering from culture shock, is to go out and make as many friends as possible, no matter how difficult you may find it | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript suggests that when someone is having a hard time adapting to a new country (culture shock), they should make an effort to find friends, even if it feels very hard for them. Answer Explanation: The answer means that people who find it hard to get used to a new culture should try to make friends even if they find it very hard to do. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the transcript provides advice for travelers dealing with 'culture shock.' It states that these people should make an effort to find friends, even if they find the process 'difficult.' By making friends, the traveler will feel more integrated and comfortable in the new environment, which directly addresses overcoming the struggle or difficulty of social connection in a foreign place. |
| Q13 | A | Many of our travellers have suggested that they have found discussing their hobbies and other interests with their host families is the best way to overcome any barriers, since you are more than likely to find something you share in common | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that talking about what you like (hobbies and interests) is the best method to solve problems with communication and find things that both you and the host family enjoy. Answer Explanation: The answer means that if guests want to get to know their host families better, they should talk about the things they enjoy doing in their free time. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the speaker says that travelers have found that talking about their hobbies and interests is the best way to connect with their host families. This helps people find things they both like, which makes it easier to talk and become friends. In English, 'hobbies' and 'interests' refer to personal interests. |
| Q14 | A | After the first few weeks, you will find your understanding of the people around you and their culture deepens by leaps and bounds, and you will soon become one of the locals | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that after staying for a while, a visitor will find that their knowledge of local people and their traditions grows very quickly and deeply. Answer Explanation: The answer means that as time passes, the visitors will understand the local people and their way of life much better. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the transcript describes the long-term effect of the homestay experience. It states that after some time has passed (the first few weeks), the visitor's knowledge and comprehension of the local society will grow significantly. Keywords like 'understanding' and 'culture' in the transcript directly match 'cultural understanding' in the answer, and 'deepens by leaps and bounds' means to improve or 'enhance' quickly. |
| Q15 | registration office | Once you have confirmed your interest in the service, we would strongly advise that you remain in close contact with the registration office, which will send you several emails keeping you up-to-date with potential matches in your country of choice | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that after you decide you want to use the service, you should talk to the registration office often so they can tell you about families you can stay with. Answer Explanation: The answer refers to the specific department or team you must stay in contact with once you express interest in a homestay. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'registration office' because the speaker explicitly advises applicants to stay in 'close contact' with this specific office after showing interest. This office is responsible for sending updates and potential matches to the applicant via email. Keywords in the transcript like 'remain in close contact' match the meaning of 'Keep in touch' in the flow-chart. |
| Q16 | records | During this stage, Connection will ask you to provide two photos, one for the host family, and the other for our own records | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that the company asks you to give them two pictures. One picture is for the family you will stay with, and the second picture is for the company to keep in their office files. Answer Explanation: The answer 'records' means the written or stored information that an organization keep about its members or activities. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'records' because the speaker clearly mentions that the organization needs two photos. One of these photos is given to the family who will host the student, and the second one is kept by the company for their own official files or 'records'. |
| Q17 | identity | Due to the nature of the service Connection provides, security is an absolute must, and they will ask you to send in photocopies of your passport, birth certificate, and a bank statement as confirmation of your identity | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that because safety is very important, you must send copies of your passport and other papers to prove who you are. Answer Explanation: The answer 'identity' refers to who you are, proven by official records or documents. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'identity' because the transcript explains that for security reasons, the organization needs copies of official papers like a passport and birth certificate. These documents are used to confirm or prove that you are the person you say you are, which is your identity. |
| Q18 | acknowledgement | If you haven't received any acknowledgement confirming receipt of these documents from us within seven working days, please contact the main office | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that if a message saying the documents arrived (acknowledgement) does not reach the applicant in seven days, they should call the main office. Answer Explanation: The answer "acknowledgement" refers to a response or message sent by an office to confirm that they have received the documents you sent them. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is correct because the transcript explains the timeline for the application process. After the applicant sends in their identification documents (like a passport and birth certificate), there is a waiting period. The speaker mentions that if you do not receive an 'acknowledgement'—which is a formal way of saying a confirmation of receipt—within seven working days, you need to call the office to check. Therefore, 'acknowledgement' is the specific thing you are supposed to receive within that timeframe. |
| Q19 | interview | Connection operates a meticulous screening process, and all applicants will undergo an interview in our head office in London, with exceptions made in extreme circumstances | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the organization checks everyone carefully and requires them to have a meeting, called an interview, at their main office in London. Answer Explanation: The answer means you must have a formal meeting or a talk with the organization's staff to check your application. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'interview' because the speaker mentions that as part of their careful checking process, everyone applying for a homestay must go to their main office in London for a meeting. The text specifically says applicants will 'undergo an interview' at the head office located in London. |
| Q20 | decision | Finally, once we have come to a result about your application, you will receive a decision in the post | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that when the organization finishes looking at an application and has a result, they will send the final choice (the decision) to the person using the mail service (the post). Answer Explanation: The answer "decision" means the final answer or choice that the organization makes about your application. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "decision" because the speaker outlines the final step of the application process. After all the interviews and scanning, the organization reaches a result. They send this result to the applicant "in the post," which means a written letter sent through the mail. Therefore, getting something "in the post" matches the phrase "a written decision." |
Transcript
Thank you all for coming to my talk this evening. It's nice to see so many people in the audience. For those of you who don't know very much about 'Connection', let me start by giving you some background information about it.
'Connection' is a British organisation that facilitates homestays all over the globe. This organisation prides itself on matching tens of thousands of host families with guests every single year, allowing travellers to discover a country's culture in a way like no other. Homestays are ideal for both travellers and homeowners, enabling inter-cultural exchanges and the development of life-long friendships, while providing travellers with often discounted accommodation costs, and host families with a steady income from the comfort of their own homes. The homestay experience is particularly popular with university exchange students looking for a more genuine insight into their country of choice, and an unrivalled opportunity to develop their language skills. The homestay experience is truly unique and once-in-a-lifetime, and one that you will likely remember for the rest of your lives. It is important to note, however, that some people will find it difficult to adapt to the new country, with many enduring what is known as 'culture shock'. Connection's advice for those suffering from culture shock, is to go out and make as many friends as possible, no matter how difficult you may find it. Friends are guaranteed to help you feel more integrated as part of the local society, and show you some great places to hang out. At first, it might seem extremely challenging to overcome the language barrier between you and your host family; however, you will find that you quickly overcome this and develop a very close and almost familial relationship. Many of our travellers have suggested that they have found discussing their hobbies and other interests with their host families is the best way to overcome any barriers, since you are more than likely to find something you share in common. For example, you might find that you are both passionate about football, and end up playing in the local field every week. One of our guests undertaking a homestay in a rural area of the UK told us that she and her host now take a Tai Chi class together upon a hilltop at sunrise, calling the experience 'absolutely breathtaking'. After the first few weeks, you will find your understanding of the people around you and their culture deepens by leaps and bounds, and you will soon become one of the locals. Our hosts, in over 140 countries, turn a location into a culture, time into experience and strangers into friends.
So how can you find out about applying for a homestay? The best way would be to visit Connection's website, www.connection.com, and contact one of their friendly advisors for more information. Once you have confirmed your interest in the service, we would strongly advise that you remain in close contact with the registration office, which will send you several emails keeping you up-to-date with potential matches in your country of choice. Once registered, Connection will require you to send various documents, and will act as an intermediary between you and the host family prior to final confirmation and payment. During this stage, Connection will ask you to provide two photos, one for the host family, and the other for our own records. Please ensure that you sign the back of each photo. Due to the nature of the service Connection provides, security is an absolute must, and they will ask you to send in photocopies of your passport, birth certificate, and a bank statement as confirmation of your identity. On receipt of these documents, the official process will begin and your bank account will be debited for the initial deposit of £200. If you haven't received any acknowledgement confirming receipt of these documents from us within seven working days, please contact the main office. As I mentioned before, due to the nature of the organisation, Connection operates a meticulous screening process, and all applicants will undergo an interview in our head office in London, with exceptions made in extreme circumstances. After your interview, it may take us several weeks to carry out the decision process, so please be patient with us. If you would like a fast-track service, please indicate this on your application and we will notify you of the additional charges. Finally, once we have come to a result about your application, you will receive a decision in the post. If you do not receive an offer of placement, we will refund your deposit within 7 working days.