Management Diploma Courses - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 05 Academic Listening Test 1 · Part 3 · Questions 21–30
Audio
Questions
Questions 21–23 One Choice
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Questions 24–25 Two Choices
Choose TWO letters A–E.
Questions 26–30 Summary Completion
Complete the summary below.
Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Modular Courses
Students study 26 during each module. A module takes 27 and the work is very 28 . To get a Diploma each student has to study 29 and then work on 30 in depth.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q21 | B | I've been working in the administration section of the local hospital for the last three years | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Andrew telling Monica exactly how long he has been working at the hospital. Answer Explanation: The answer is three years. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because Andrew says that he has worked at the local hospital for the past three years. He also talks about working at an office for two years before the hospital job, which makes five years of total experience, but the question only asks about his time at the hospital. |
| Q22 | A | You see, my office have agreed to pay the cost of the course itself, but I would have to take unpaid leave if I want to study full-time and, well, I don't think I could afford to support myself with no salary for a whole year | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that Andrew's company will pay for the course. It also explains that if he chooses a full-time course, he will not get his work money (salary) and will have to pay for his own needs like food and a place to live (living costs). Answer Explanation: The answer means that Andrew's workplace will pay for the classes he takes. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because Andrew mentions that his office agreed to pay the 'cost of the course itself.' In educational contexts, the word 'fees' is used to describe the money paid for classes. He also clearly states that he would not receive his 'salary' during this time (unpaid leave) and would have to 'support himself' (pay his own living costs), meaning his employer is not paying for those things. |
| Q23 | C | Well, you have two other possibilities: you could either do the part-time course – that would be over two years and you wouldn't have to take any time off work – or you could do what we call a 'modular' course | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Monica telling Andrew that he has two choices: the part-time course, which takes two years, or the modular course. Answer Explanation: The answer is option C, which states that the part-time course lasts for two years. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because Monica, the advisor, explains that the part-time course is completed over a period of two years. She contrasts this with the modular course, which could be finished in eighteen months. In this context, 'over two years' indicates the total duration of the study program. |
| Q24 | — | — | |
| Q25 | B / D | You'd be expected to write an essay each month, which counts towards your final assessment. You have a case study to do by the end of the course, which might involve doing a survey or something like that, and also you need to hand in a short report every four weeks | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that students have to write an essay once a month. It also states they must hand in a small report every four weeks, which matches the monthly requirement. Answer Explanation: The answer is to write an essay and turn in a short report. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B and D because Monica mentions that students on the part-time course must write an essay every month and give a short report every four weeks. Since four weeks is about a month, these two tasks are required monthly. Although a case study and a survey are mentioned, they are for the end of the course, not every month. |
| Q26 | full-time / full time | That's where you get the opportunity to study full-time for short periods | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that for certain short lengths of time, students have the chance to dedicate all their time to their studies. Answer Explanation: The answer "full-time" means that students spend their whole working day focused on their classes and schoolwork during each period of study. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is based on Monica's description of the 'modular' course. She explains that this type of course gives students the chance to study full-time for short blocks of time, rather than trying to work and study at the same time. This matches the sentence in the summary asking how students study during each module. |
| Q27 | a term / one term / 1 term | And each module lasts for one term, say, about twelve weeks at a time | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explicitly tells us that a module takes one term to complete, which is about twelve weeks long. Answer Explanation: The answer "a term / one term" means the amount of time a student spends on one part (module) of the course. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "a term" or "one term" because Monica explains the duration of the modular course. She directly states that every single module goes on for a period called a term. The word "lasts for" is a synonym for "takes" in the context of time. |
| Q28 | intensive | There are obvious advantages in this – the main one being that you can study in a much more intensive way, which suits some people much better | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that a big benefit of the course is that students can learn in a very concentrated and busy way. Answer Explanation: The answer "intensive" describes a way of learning that involves a lot of effort and focus in a short period of time. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "intensive" because Monica explains the benefits of the modular course. She mentions that instead of working and studying at the same time, this course allows a student to focus entirely on their lessons. She uses the word "intensive" to describe this style of learning. |
| Q29 | two modules / 2 modules / for two terms / two terms / for 2 terms / 2 terms | The current programme is two modules – and then you have to choose a topic to work in more depth – but you can base that on your job, and so you don't need to be away from the office, and how long it takes is up to you | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that the course is organized into two main parts called modules, followed by an independent project on a specific topic. Answer Explanation: The answer means that to earn a diploma, a student must complete two separate sections of study, which are called modules (or stay for two school terms). Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is based on Monica's description of the 'modular' course requirements. When Andrew asks how many modules are needed for the diploma, Monica explicitly states that the 'programme is two modules'. Since she previously mentioned that 'each module lasts for one term', attending two modules is the same as attending for two terms. |
| Q30 | a topic / one topic / 1 topic | The current programme is two modules – and then you have to choose a topic to work in more depth – but you can base that on your job, and so you don't need to be away from the office, and how long it takes is up to you | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the course has two main parts called modules. After these, the student chooses one single topic to study very deeply. Answer Explanation: The answer means that to finish the diploma, a student must pick a specific subject or area (a topic) and study it very closely. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is found when Monica explains how the modular course works. She mentions that students first finish two parts (modules) of the course. After that, they pick one specific topic to research and learn about in great detail. This matches the phrase 'work on... in depth' used in the summary task. |
Transcript
ANDREW: Excuse me. I was told to come here for advice about, erm, Management Diploma courses?
MONICA: You've certainly come to the right place. Hi, my name is Monica.
ANDREW: Nice to meet you. My name is Andrew, Andrew Harris.
MONICA: So, Andrew, have you seen our diploma course prospectus yet?
ANDREW: Yes, I've already looked at it. In fact, I thought the information on course content was really useful, but I'm afraid I'm a bit confused by all the different ways you can do the course: full-time intensive, part-time and so on.
MONICA: Well, let's see if I can help. I think each course type has its advantages and disadvantages, so it really depends on you – your own study habits, and your financial circumstances, of course. Are you working at the moment?
ANDREW: Yes. I've been working in the administration section of the local hospital for the last three years. And before that I worked in the office of a computer engineering company for two years. So, I've got about five years of relevant work experience. And what I'm hoping to focus on is Personnel Management.
MONICA: I see. And are you planning to leave your current job to study, or are you thinking about just taking a year off?
ANDREW: I want to know what my options are, really. I don't want to quit my job or anything and my employers are keen for me to get some more qualifications but obviously, it would be better if I could do a course without taking too much time away from work.
MONICA: Right, so you don't really want to do the full-time course, then?
ANDREW: No, not really. It's also a question of finances. You see, my office have agreed to pay the cost of the course itself, but I would have to take unpaid leave if I want to study full-time and, well, I don't think I could afford to support myself with no salary for a whole year.
MONICA: OK. Well, you have two other possibilities: you could either do the part-time course – that would be over two years and you wouldn't have to take any time off work – or you could do what we call a 'modular' course. You could do that in eighteen months if you wanted – or longer, it's quite flexible and it would be up to you.
ANDREW: Mmm. So what does the part-time course involve?
MONICA: For that you would join an evening class and have a lecture twice a week. Then, you'd have to attend a seminar or discussion workshop one weekend a month.
ANDREW: What kind of coursework would I have to do?
MONICA: Well, it's a mixture. You'd be expected to write an essay each month, which counts towards your final assessment. You have a case study to do by the end of the course, which might involve doing a survey or something like that, and also you need to hand in a short report every four weeks.
ANDREW: So, that's quite a lot of work, then, on top of working every day. It sounds like a lot of studying – and really tiring.
MONICA: Yes, you certainly wouldn't have much free time!
ANDREW: What about the 'modular' course? What would I have to do for that?
MONICA: That's where you get the opportunity to study full-time for short periods. That way you can cover a lot of coursework and attend lectures and seminars during the day. And each module lasts for one term, say, about twelve weeks at a time. There are obvious advantages in this – the main one being that you can study in a much more intensive way, which suits some people much better.
ANDREW: And how many of these 'modules' would I have to do to get the diploma?
MONICA: The current programme is two modules – and then you have to choose a topic to work in more depth – but you can base that on your job, and so you don't need to be away from the office, and how long it takes is up to you. The important thing is that you don't have to study and work. You can focus on one thing at a time.
ANDREW: Yes, I can see that. It certainly sounds attractive! It would be more expensive, though. I mean, I'd have to support myself without pay for each module.
MONICA: That's true, so that might be a problem for you. Look, why don't you talk this over with your employers and...