New Union Building - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 04 Academic Listening Test 3 · Part 4 · Questions 31–42
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Questions
Questions 31–32 Note Completion
Complete the notes below.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
New Union Building
Procedures to establish student opinion:
- students were asked to give written suggestions on the building's design
- these points informed the design of a 31
(there were 32 respondents)
- results collated and report produced by Union Committee
Questions 33–37 Table Completion
Complete the table below.
Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.
| CHOICE OF SITE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Site One | Site Two | Site Three | |
| Location | City centre near Faculty of
33 |
Outskirts near park | Out of town near the
34 |
| Advantages and/or disadvantages | Problems with
35 |
Close to
36 |
Access to living quarters. Larger site, so more
37 |
Questions 38–39 Multiple Choice (Two Answers)
Choose TWO letters A-G.
Questions 40–40 Multiple Choice (One Answer)
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Questions 41–42 Multiple Choice (Two Answers)
Choose TWO letters A-E.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q31 | questionnaire | Then we invited all students to submit written suggestions for the design, placing cards in a suggestion box. These suggestions then provided the basis for the design of a questionnaire, which was completed by approximately two thousand of the College students over a period of three weeks | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript describes the steps taken: first, students gave written ideas, and then those ideas were used to make a questionnaire for 2,000 people to fill out. Answer Explanation: The answer 'questionnaire' is a document with a list of questions used to find out what people think or feel about something. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is correct because the speaker explains the process used to get student opinions. First, they asked for written ideas (suggestions). Then, they used those ideas to create a questionnaire. This questionnaire was finished by about 2,000 students to gather more data for the report. In the notes, 'these points' refers to the written suggestions, and 'informed the design' matches the transcript's phrase 'provided the basis for the design'. |
| Q32 | approximately 2,000 / about 2,000 / approximately 2000 / about 2000 | These suggestions then provided the basis for the design of a questionnaire, which was completed by approximately two thousand of the College students over a period of three weeks | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the students' initial ideas were used to create a questionnaire (a set of questions). It then states that nearly 2,000 students filled out this form. Answer Explanation: The answer identifies the number of students who participated in the survey. It means around 2,000 people responded. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is based on the part of the talk where the speaker describes the process of gathering student opinions. After collecting written ideas, they created a questionnaire. The speaker mentions that 'approximately two thousand' students finished this questionnaire. In English, 'approximately' and 'about' are synonyms used to show an estimated number, and 'respondents' are the people who complete a survey or questionnaire. |
| Q33 | Education | One: in the city centre, near the Faculty of Education | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript clearly states that the first option for the building site is located in the middle of the city, specifically near the building for the teaching and education department. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'Education', which is the name of the college department or area of study near the first suggested location. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Education' because the speaker lists three specific options for where to build the new Union. When talking about 'Site One', the speaker describes it as being in the city center and specifically mentions it is close to the 'Faculty of Education'. In this context, 'faculty' refers to a university department. |
| Q34 | halls of residence / living quarters | And Site Three, out of town, near the halls of residence, was clearly the most popular because of access from living quarters | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript clearly states that the third option for the building site is located outside of town and is close to the buildings where students live. Answer Explanation: The answer identifies the student housing buildings as the specific place located near the third proposed site for the Union building. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is halls of residence because the speaker explicitly names this as the nearby landmark for the third location choice. The speaker mentions that the location is away from the main town and situated near where the students live. The transcript uses the term halls of residence to describe the specific location and then uses the synonym living quarters to explain why that location is easy for students to reach. |
| Q35 | traffic,parking / parking,traffic / traffic and parking / parking and traffic | Site One was unpopular because of traffic and parking problems | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explicitly states that the first location (Site One) was not a good choice because it had negative issues with many cars on the road and limited spaces to stop cars. Answer Explanation: The answer provides terms for many cars moving on the road and for finding a place to leave a car. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is based on the section where the speaker discusses three different locations for a new building. For the first location, known as Site One, the speaker mentions that students did not like it because there were issues related to the high number of cars on the road and the difficulty of finding spots to leave them. Keywords to listen for are 'unpopular' (not liked) and 'problems' (issues/difficulties). |
| Q36 | most lecture rooms / lecture rooms / lecture halls / lecture theatres / lecture theaters | Site Two had a number of supporters, mainly because it was close to most lecture rooms | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that some people liked the second location choice because it is very near to the rooms where most of the students have their classes. Answer Explanation: The answer means the places where students go to listen to their teachers give lessons or classes. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is based on the speaker's description of 'Site Two.' The speaker explains that many students liked this location because it was 'close to' (meaning near) 'most lecture rooms.' In the table, this matches the 'Advantages' section for Site Two. |
| Q37 | choice of facilities / facilities / room for facilities | It was also felt that the larger site would allow more room for a choice of facilities | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the bigger area (larger site) makes it possible to have many different types of rooms or equipment for students to use. Answer Explanation: The answer means that because the third site is bigger, there is a lot of space to include more rooms or services like a gym or a swimming pool. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is '(choice of) facilities' because the speaker explains that Site Three is the largest of the three options. A larger site is considered an advantage because it provides 'more room' or space to include various services and rooms for the students. In the text, these services—such as a gym or a pool—are called 'facilities.' |
| Q38 | — | — | |
| Q39 | D / F | We would like the current table games room to be replaced with a small gym There was a large number of respondents in favour of a travel agent's and insurance centre |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the students want to change the room used for table games into a gym. It also shows that a lot of students like the idea of having a travel agent and an insurance office in the new building. Answer Explanation: The answer choices mean that the students requested a small gym and a place where they can book trips and travel-related services. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is based on the speaker's discussion of requested facilities. The speaker mentions that they would like to replace the games room with a small gym, which corresponds to choice D (a mini fitness centre). Furthermore, the speaker notes that many students are in favor of having a travel agent's office, which corresponds to choice F (a travel agency). While other options like a library or swimming pool are mentioned, the library had little interest and the requested pool was specifically described as small rather than large. |
| Q40 | B | There was, however, much disagreement about whether to build a drama theatre. Just over forty per cent of the respondents were in favour, but a largish minority were strongly against it, claiming that it is elitist and a waste of funds | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that some people were very much against the theater plan. These people argued that the theater would only be for a few people and that the cost was not worth it. Answer Explanation: The answer means that building a drama theater is a bad way to spend money because it would only benefit a small group of people. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the speaker explains that many people did not want the theater. They used two main reasons: they said it was 'elitist' (meaning it is only for a specific small group or minority) and a 'waste of funds' (which means it is a poor use of money or resources). This matches the idea that the resources wouldn't help many students. |
| Q41 | — | — | |
| Q42 | A / C | The recommendations would be at least video surveillance and security personnel who would check Student Union cards on request | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that the students want to use cameras for watching the building and have security workers who will look at student ID cards when they ask for them. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the two security measures requested by the students are video cameras (CCTV) and having students show their ID cards if a guard asks to see them. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is found in the speaker's final point about safety. To protect the building, they suggest 'video surveillance', which is another way of saying closed-circuit TV (CCTV). They also want security guards to check student cards 'on request', which means the same as showing the card when asked. |
Transcript
We're very grateful that the Committee has agreed that a representative for the Students' Union can present students' suggestions about the design for the proposed new Union building. We appreciate that some of our ideas may not be feasible in the circumstances, but we do feel that it is important that the ultimate beneficiaries of the facilities should have some say in its design.
If I could start by briefly explaining what steps were taken to find out student opinion and how we have arrived at conclusions. Firstly, a meeting was held in the current Union for our SU Committee to explain the options. Then we invited all students to submit written suggestions for the design, placing cards in a suggestion box. These suggestions then provided the basis for the design of a questionnaire, which was completed by approximately two thousand of the College students over a period of three weeks. Finally, the SU Committee collated the results and drew up a report. If I can just hand around a copy of that report. This presentation is essentially a summary and discussion of the key points of this report.
So, in broad terms, the consensus was as follows. Firstly, regarding the crucial matter of the site, we presented the three options that you have proposed. One: in the city centre, near the Faculty of Education; two: on the outskirts of the city, near the park, and three: out of town, near the halls of residence. We asked students to cite reasons for and against these sites and, and there was remarkable agreement on all three. Site One was unpopular because of traffic and parking problems. Site Two had a number of supporters, mainly because it was close to most lecture rooms. And Site Three, out of town, near the halls of residence, was clearly the most popular because of access from living quarters. It was clear that the Union was mainly to be used after lectures. It was also felt that the larger site would allow more room for a choice of facilities.
Our second area of interest was obviously the facilities: there was minimal interest in having a library on the premises, but one option seemed to be a reading room instead - more useful. We would like the current table games room to be replaced with a small gym. And, if possible, a small swimming pool - not, of course, Olympic-sized! There was a large number of respondents in favour of a travel agent's and insurance centre. We also request that there be the offices of the Student Counselling Centre, moving this from the Refectory. There was, however, much disagreement about whether to build a drama theatre. Just over forty per cent of the respondents were in favour, but a largish minority were strongly against it, claiming that it is elitist and a waste of funds. Essentially the jury is out on that.
Finally, given the number of unfortunate incidents in the current Union over the past few months, a strong point was repeatedly made about security. The recommendations would be at least video surveillance and security personnel who would check Student Union cards on request. We doubt if it would be feasible to have a check at reception of all people coming in.
Well, this is the summary of the views of the student population. As I say, fuller details are given in our report but I'm happy to take any questions if you have them ... (fade out)