Joanne’s Dissertation - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From IELTS Practice Test Plus 3 Academic Listening Test 3 · Part 3 · Questions 21–30
Audio
Questions
Questions 21–24 Multiple Choice (One Answer)
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Advice on writing a dissertation
Questions 25–26 Multiple Choice (Two Answers)
Choose TWO letters, A-E.
Questions 27–28 Multiple Choice (Two Answers)
Choose TWO letters, A-E.
Questions 29–30 Multiple Choice (Two Answers)
Choose TWO letters, A-E.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q21 | C | I found it really improved my understanding of the whole degree program, you know, from the first year on | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that Howard felt the project made him much clearer on everything he had learned over the course of his entire degree, right back to his first year of study. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the process of writing his final academic paper allowed Howard to better comprehend the material he had studied in his previous university classes. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because Howard explicitly mentions that writing his dissertation improved his understanding of his entire degree program, starting from his very first year. This directly relates to 'previous course work.' He notes that while he did not have 'fun' or expected to enjoy it (which disproves choice B), the academic benefit of looking back at everything he had learned was significant. |
| Q22 | C | My concern is that I’ve got tons of material on the topic and I won’t be able to stick to the word limit, you know | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the student clearly stating her main worry. She is worried because she has a lot of information and might write more than the permitted number of words. Answer Explanation: The answer means that Joanne's biggest worry is that her dissertation will be too long and have more words than she is allowed to write. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the student expresses a 'concern,' which is another word for a worry. She mentions having 'tons of material,' which means a very large amount of information. Because she has so much info, she is afraid she 'won't be able to stick to the word limit.' To 'stick to' a 'word limit' means to follow the rule about the maximum number of words allowed. If she cannot stay within that limit, she will end up writing too much. |
| Q23 | A | Yeah. Before my first tutorial, I did a lot of fairly general reading, because I hadn’t fixed on my topic at that stage. I actually enjoyed that quite a lot and really improved my reading speed, you know, so I was getting through a lot of material. I was frightened I wouldn’t remember it all though, so I got into the habit of making very detailed notes | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that the speaker was worried about their memory. They state they were 'frightened' (very scared) about not being able to 'remember it all,' which is why they began writing down many specific details. Answer Explanation: The answer means Howard was scared he would not be able to keep the information in his mind after reading it. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because Howard (the student who did his research last year) talks about his past experience. He says he did a lot of reading but was 'frightened' that he would 'not remember' everything he read. To help himself, he started writing very 'detailed notes.' This shows his main worry was forgetting. Choice B is wrong because he says he improved his understanding. Choice C is wrong because he says he improved his reading speed and was reading a lot of material quickly. |
| Q24 | B | Yeah, we certainly had some interesting discussions, but it’s funny, I saw a brilliant program about climate change, and it was that that really fired me up | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Howard saying that while he talked with his teacher, it was specifically a great TV show ('program') about his topic that made him feel ready and eager to start working ('fired me up'). Answer Explanation: The answer B means that watching a television show about his subject is what made Howard feel excited to begin his project. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because Howard explains that although he had helpful conversations with his tutor, it was actually a 'brilliant program' on television about climate change that truly motivated him. He uses the idiom 'fired me up' to express that the show gave him the energy and enthusiasm he needed to start. While he mentions that the show discussed research which disagreed with articles he was reading, the show itself was the primary spark for his motivation. |
| Q25 | — | — | |
| Q26 | B / E | Once you’ve got the focus, you’ve got to get reading. It’s helpful to look through the bibliographies for all the course modules relating to your topic, and get hold of any books you think you’ll need Not like me then. But if that’s what suits you, you know, your natural approach, then you really ought to start immediately and write the first chapter |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Howard giving two pieces of advice. First, he says it is good to check the lists of books for her classes. Second, he tells her she should start writing the first part of her project right away since she prefers to write quickly. Answer Explanation: The answer identifies two actions Howard recommends: looking at the lists of books for her classes and beginning the writing of the first section of her project. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because Howard suggests checking the bibliographies (booklists) of course modules. It is also E because he tells Joanne that, given her preference for writing early, she should start immediately on the first chapter. |
| Q27 | — | — | |
| Q28 | C / D | The library only keeps the best, and the staff can advise you And during the dissertation writing period, you can take out 15 instead of the usual 10 books |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Howard explaining that the library staff can give suggestions on the top-quality projects from before, and that students are allowed to take home more books while they are writing their own project. Answer Explanation: The answer means that students writing a major project (a dissertation) can borrow more books than they normally do, and the library workers can help them find good examples of projects from past students. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C and D because Howard explains two specific benefits of the library. First, he mentions that the library staff can help Joanne by giving her advice on which old dissertations are worth reading. Second, he notes that during the time she is writing her project, the number of books she can borrow increases from the standard 10 to 15, which means students can 'borrow extra books.' Key synonyms used in the transcript include 'advise' for 'recommend' and 'take out' for 'borrow.' |
| Q29 | — | — | |
| Q30 | B / D | Except he will be away in the second month. It’s the holidays. You should ask him what to do while he’s away. Joanne: Gosh, yeah Howard: One thing I’d find out is what his attitude is to internet sources. Joanne: Surely not in this day and age? I’d better get that sorted out right at the beginning |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Howard advising Joanne to talk to her teacher about two specific things: how to proceed while the teacher is on holiday (vacation) and what the teacher thinks about using information from the internet (web sources). Joanne shows she agrees to do this in both cases. Answer Explanation: The answer means Joanne will talk to her teacher about who can help her when the teacher is on vacation and if she is allowed to use information from the internet for her project. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is based on parts of the conversation where Howard gives advice. First, Howard warns Joanne that her tutor, Dr. Peterson, will be gone during the 'holidays' (which is the same as vacations) and suggests she ask him for instructions on what to do during that time. Joanne agrees by saying 'Gosh, yeah.' Second, Howard suggests checking if the tutor allows 'internet sources' (which are web sources). Joanne agrees that she must talk to him about this early on, saying she should 'get that sorted out right at the beginning.' |
Transcript
Narrator: Test 3, section 3. You will hear two geography students talking. An older student called Howard is giving advice to a younger student called Joanne on writing her dissertation. First you have some time to look at questions 21 to 24. Now listen and answer questions 21 to 24.
Joanne: Hi Howard, I haven’t seen you for a while.
Howard: Hi Joanne. Yeah, they’re keeping us really busy on the postgraduate program. But how are you? You’ll be starting your dissertation soon, won’t you?
Joanne: Yeah, tutorials start next week. I’ve got Dr. Peterson. You’ll remember it all from last year, of course.
Howard: It’s not something you forget easily. But seriously, although I didn’t expect to enjoy writing my dissertation, and in fact I didn’t really find it much fun, I wouldn’t have missed the experience. I found it really improved my understanding of the whole degree program, you know, from the first year on.
Joanne: Right. So what are you doing yours on?
Howard: Glaciated landscapes. Although I haven’t decided exactly what aspect yet.
Joanne: Hmm, I did mine on climate systems, so I can’t help you much, I’m afraid. But you’ll be fine once you start your tutorials. Dr. Peterson’ll help you focus.
Howard: I know, and he’ll set me deadlines for the different stages, which is what I need. My concern is that I’ve got tons of material on the topic and I won’t be able to stick to the word limit, you know?
Joanne: I remember I had different concerns when I was doing my dissertation last year.
Howard: Oh?
Joanne: Yeah. Before my first tutorial, I did a lot of fairly general reading, because I hadn’t fixed on my topic at that stage. I actually enjoyed that quite a lot and really improved my reading speed, you know, so I was getting through a lot of material. I was frightened I wouldn’t remember it all though, so I got into the habit of making very detailed notes.
Joanne: So did you find your tutor helpful in getting you started?
Howard: Yeah, we certainly had some interesting discussions, but it’s funny, I saw a brilliant program about climate change, and it was that that really fired me up. It was talking about some recent research which seemed to contradict some of the articles I’d been reading.
Narrator: Now you have some time to look at questions 25 to 30. Now listen and answer questions 25 to 30.
Howard: So you say your tutorials start next week?
Joanne: Yeah.
Howard: Well, the first month’s crucial. You’ve got to meet your tutor and decide on your focus, but don’t become too dependent on him. You know, don’t see him every week, only when you want to check something.
Joanne: Right.
Howard: Once you’ve got the focus, you’ve got to get reading. It’s helpful to look through the bibliographies for all the course modules relating to your topic, and get hold of any books you think you’ll need.
Joanne: I haven’t got much money.
Howard: I mean get the books from the library. Far better.
Joanne: And I suppose I should prepare a detailed outline of the chapters?
Howard: Yeah, absolutely. But don’t feel you have to follow it slavishly. It’s meant to be flexible.
Joanne: Okay. Now, I’m someone who likes to get writing quickly. I can’t just sit and read for a month.
Howard: Not like me then. But if that’s what suits you, you know, your natural approach, then you really ought to start immediately and write the first chapter.
Joanne: Right. Now, Joanne, about the library. It’s worthwhile getting on good terms with the staff. They aren’t always helpful with undergraduates.
Joanne: I suppose they focus on postgrads more.
Howard: Maybe. But show them you’re serious about wanting to do good work.
Joanne: And what if I can’t find what I need?
Howard: Well, there’s inter-library loans.
Joanne: Borrowing books from other libraries, but I’ve heard it isn’t all that reliable.
Howard: You’re right, but you probably won’t need it anyway. Be positive. The library is likely to have most things you need. And during the dissertation writing period, you can take out 15 instead of the usual 10 books.
Joanne: Should I look at previous years’ dissertations?
Howard: You can do…
Joanne: But I won’t know which are the good ones.
Howard: The library only keeps the best, and the staff can advise you.
Joanne: Are they willing to do that?
Howard: Oh, yeah.
Joanne: And I’m worried about getting journal articles from the electronic library. Have you tried to find any yet?
Joanne: No.
Howard: Well, you should. It’s really straightforward.
Joanne: That’s obviously something I’ll have to look into.
Howard: Dr. Peterson will help.
Joanne: Yeah, I know I can go to him if I have any worries.
Howard: Except he will be away in the second month. It’s the holidays. You should ask him what to do while he’s away.
Joanne: Gosh, yeah. But I suppose I can get a lot of support from coursemates. I know a couple of people who are thinking of doing the same topic as me.
Howard: Take care. Collaboration can become dependency. I think you’d better see how that works out, what the people are like.
Joanne: You’re probably right. About other reading, I suppose Dr. Peterson’ll recommend plenty of good articles to get me started.
Howard: One thing I’d find out is what his attitude is to internet sources.
Joanne: Surely not in this day and age? I’d better get that sorted out right at the beginning.
Howard: I would if I was you.
Joanne: And I’ve also got some questions about the research sections. How much time I should spend explaining the process.
Howard: Well, I think that’s up to you. You can see how it develops as you’re writing.
Joanne: Okay.
Howard: It’s the same with things like time management. That’s something a tutor can’t really help you with.
Joanne: I agree.
Howard: So is there anything else you need me to go over?
Narrator: That is the end of section 3. You now have half a minute to check your answers.