Kite-making By The Maori People Of New Zealand - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS Academic Listening Test 4 · Part 4 · Questions 31–40
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Questions 31–40 Note Completion
Complete the notes below.
Write ONE WORD for each answer.
Kite-making by the Maori people of New Zealand
Making and appearance of the kites
- The priests who made the kites had rules for size and scale
- 31 was not allowed during a kite’s preparation
Kites:
- often represented a bird, a god, or a 32
- had frames that were decorated with grasses and 33
- had a line of noisy 34 attached to them.
- could be triangular, rectangular or 35 shaped.
- had patterns made from clay mixed with 36 oil.
- sometimes had human-head masks with 37 and a tattoo.
Purpose and function of kites:
- a way of sending 38 to the gods
- a way of telling other villages that a 39 was necessary
- a means of 40 if enemies were coming.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q31 | food | There were rules, too, for the size and scale of the kites that the priests had to follow, and during the preparation of both small and large kites, food was strictly forbidden | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that there were strict rules for making kites, and one of these rules was that food could not be used or eaten while the kites were being prepared. Answer Explanation: The answer is food, which is what people eat to stay alive. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is food because the transcript says that during the 'preparation' (the time when they were making the kites), food was 'strictly forbidden'. Forbidden means it was not allowed. |
| Q32 | hero | In terms of appearance, kites were frequently designed in the image of a native bird, or a Maori god, and sometimes, perhaps less often, a well-known hero | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that when people looked at the kites, they often saw shapes like birds, gods, or famous brave people known as heroes. Answer Explanation: The answer 'hero' refers to a brave or famous person who is admired for their great deeds. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'hero' because the lecturer describes what the kites looked like. They mention that the kites were usually made to look like a local bird or a god. However, the speaker also explains that sometimes the kites were made in the image of a famous or well-known person, which is called a 'hero'. |
| Q33 | feathers | For this the priests used long grasses, and these – when the kite was in the air – would stream along behind it. They also used a variety of feathers to add, um, colour to their creations | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that to decorate the kites, the priests used long grass that would fly behind the kite and different bird feathers to make the kites colorful. Answer Explanation: The answer "feathers" refers to the light, soft things that grow on a bird's body and cover its skin. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "feathers" because the speaker describes the items used to decorate the kites. The transcript explains that priests used long pieces of grass and different types of feathers to make the kites look better. In the notes, it says the frames were decorated with "grasses and" another item, which is "feathers." |
| Q34 | shells | They could be quite noisy indeed, and this was because some priests liked to hang a long row of shells from the kite | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the kites made a lot of noise because religious leaders (priests) attached many sea shells to them in a line. Answer Explanation: The answer "shells" refers to hard protective covers from sea animals that were tied to the kites to create sound. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "shells" because the transcript explains that Maori kites were characterized by being "noisy." To create this noise, priests would hang a "long row of shells" from the kites. These shells would then "rattle and clatter" as they hit each other in the wind, making the kite audible from the ground. |
| Q35 | diamond | As I said before, the most common image was probably a bird, and that's the same for other kite-making cultures, but the kites were designed in particular shapes – so there were kites that were triangular, rectangular and also shaped like a diamond | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that kites were not all the same; they were built in specific ways, including being triangular, rectangular, or in the shape of a diamond. Answer Explanation: The answer is a word for a shape that has four corners and four equal sides, but it looks like it is standing on one of its points. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "diamond" because the speaker lists several different shapes that the Maori used for their kites. He mentions three specific shapes: triangular (three sides), rectangular (four sides with a long shape), and diamond. Because the notes already list "triangular" and "rectangular," "diamond" is the word needed to complete the list of shapes. |
| Q36 | shark | Um, some of the kites were also covered in patterns, and to make these patterns, the Maori used different pigments of red and black, and these were either made from a charcoal base or from red-brown clay which had been combined with oil obtained from a local species of shark | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript describes how the colorful designs on the kites were created. It specifically says they mixed red-brown clay with oil from a shark found in their area. Answer Explanation: The answer 'shark' refers to a large sea animal. The Maori used oil from this animal to mix with clay to make paint for their kite designs. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'shark' because the transcript explains how the patterns on the kites were colored. It mentions that red and black colors were used, and one of these colors came from 'red-brown clay' that was 'combined with oil' from a local 'shark.' The word 'combined' is a synonym for 'mixed' used in the notes. |
| Q37 | teeth | This is the kind of kite that has a wooden mask at the top of the frame – it’s a mask of a human head – and you can clearly see it has a tattoo and also a set of teeth | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript describes a special kite that has a wooden face (a mask) at the top. This face looks like a human and shows both a tattoo and a set of teeth. Answer Explanation: The answer "teeth" refers to the hard white parts inside the mouth that were included as part of the decorative human face on certain kites. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is supported by the part of the transcript discussing a specific type of kite called the 'birdman' kite. The speaker mentions that this kite features a wooden mask of a human head. According to the text, this mask clearly shows two specific details: a tattoo and a set of teeth. Therefore, 'teeth' is the missing word needed to complete the description of the human-head masks. |
| Q38 | messages | Primarily, the flying of kites was a way of communicating with the gods and when the kites rose into the air, the Maori used them to deliver messages – perhaps requesting a good harvest, good fortune in war, a successful hunting expedition | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the main reason for flying kites was to talk to the gods and give them specific requests or information. Answer Explanation: The answer "messages" refers to the notes or requests the Maori people wanted to give to their gods. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "messages" because the lecturer explains that kites were used to talk to the gods. The transcript says they were used to "deliver messages" like asking for help with food or success in war. Since "sending" and "delivering" mean almost the same thing, "messages" is the word that fills the gap. |
| Q39 | meeting | People would also fly kites for other reasons, for example, to attract the attention of a neighbouring village. This was done when a meeting was required between Maori elders – a convenient method, indeed | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that Maori people used kites to send signals to other villages. When the leaders (elders) needed to talk to each other, they would fly a kite to show that a meeting was necessary. Answer Explanation: The answer means a gathering or a time when people come together to talk. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is supported by the part of the talk that explains how kites were used for communication between different groups of people. Specifically, kites were flown to get the attention of people in a nearby village when the leaders, or elders, needed to have a meeting. This shows that kites were a important tool for organizing conversations between different communities. |
| Q40 | escape | And finally, when it comes to war, there are traditional stories that describe how when a Maori warrior found himself surrounded by his enemies, a kite could actually provide the possibility of escape – the kites were powerful enough to take a man up into the air | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript talks about stories from the past. It says that if a soldier was trapped by his enemies, a large kite could help him get away because it could lift a person up into the sky. Answer Explanation: The answer 'escape' refers to a way of getting away from a dangerous situation or people who want to catch you. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'escape' because the transcript explains how kites were used during war. If a Maori soldier was surrounded by enemies, he could use a kite to fly away to safety. The text uses the specific word 'escape' to describe this action. |
Transcript
Well, good morning everyone. As you know, we've been looking at different kinds of art and craft that were practised by the Maori people of New Zealand - at least before the Europeans began to arrive in the 18th century. So, the focus of this lecture is kite making; how the kites were made, their appearance and the purposes they served.
Well, let's start with the way they were made. As with other Maori artistic traditions, kite-making involved certain rituals. So, firstly, only priests were allowed to fly and handle the largest, most sacred kites. There were rules, too, for the size and scale of the kites that the priests had to follow, and during the preparation of both small and large kites, food was strictly forbidden.
In terms of appearance, kites were frequently designed in the image of a native bird, or a Maori god, and sometimes, perhaps less often, a well-known hero. You can imagine that when Maori first arrived in the new country, in New Zealand, it may have taken some time to find suitable materials for their kites – but through trial and error no doubt, they found plants and trees that provided bark and even roots that they could use to make the frames and wings of their kites. And after the frame had been constructed, the kite then had to be decorated. For this the priests used long grasses, and these – when the kite was in the air – would stream along behind it. They also used a variety of feathers to add, um, colour to their creations. Well, all this meant it was easy to see a kite in the sky but you could also hear Maori kites. They could be quite noisy indeed, and this was because some priests liked to hang a long row of shells from the kite. You can imagine how they'd rattle and clatter in the wind – how they might completely capture your attention.
As I said before, the most common image was probably a bird, and that's the same for other kite-making cultures, but the kites were designed in particular shapes – so there were kites that were triangular, rectangular and also shaped like a diamond. And some of them were so large, it would actually require several men to operate them. Um, some of the kites were also covered in patterns, and to make these patterns, the Maori used different pigments of red and black, and these were either made from a charcoal base or from red-brown clay which had been combined with oil obtained from a local species of shark.
Now, before I forget, if you have a chance, do visit the Auckland Museum because they have the last surviving ‘birdman’ kite on display. This is the kind of kite that has a wooden mask at the top of the frame – it’s a mask of a human head – and you can clearly see it has a tattoo and also a set of teeth. Quite impressive – and a good example of Maori craftsmanship and symbolism.
Right, turning to the purpose and function of the kites; they certainly had multiple uses. Primarily, the flying of kites was a way of communicating with the gods and when the kites rose into the air, the Maori used them to deliver messages – perhaps requesting a good harvest, good fortune in war, a successful hunting expedition. So, these kites were incredibly valuable to a community – treasured objects that one generation would pass to the next. People would also fly kites for other reasons, for example, to attract the attention of a neighbouring village. This was done when a meeting was required between Maori elders – a convenient method, indeed. And finally, when it comes to war, there are traditional stories that describe how when a Maori warrior found himself surrounded by his enemies, a kite could actually provide the possibility of escape – the kites were powerful enough to take a man up into the air; and for this reason, they could also be used to lower him into enemy fortifications so that an attack could begin from the inside.
Well, I'm happy to say there seems to be a revival and growing interest in kite-making, and ...