Paper Production and Recycling - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS Academic Listening Test 3 · Part 3 · Questions 21–30
Audio
Questions
Questions 21–25 Flow Chart Completion
Complete the flow-chart below.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.
Paper Production and Recycling
Production
- get raw materials from 21
- remove bark
- chop wood
- add 22 then heat and pulp mixture
- paper produced in machine
Recycling
- 23 and distribute materials
- collect used paper
- 24 used paper
- use chemicals to 25
- heat and pulp recycled mixture
Questions 26–30 Short Answers
Answer the questions below.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q21 | pine forests | Alan: Yes – and they tend to come from pine forests | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Alan saying that the materials used at the start of the paper-making process are collected from forests filled with pine trees. Answer Explanation: The answer means the basic materials used to make items (like paper) come from woods filled with pine trees. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'pine forests' because the flow-chart asks for the location where raw materials are obtained. In the conversation, after Melanie mentions that the first step is getting 'raw materials', Alan explains that these materials usually come from 'pine forests'. Phrases like 'come from' indicate the source or origin of something. |
| Q22 | water | Um, it says water is added and then the mixture is heated and made into pulp | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that after wood is chopped, water is put into the mix, then it is heated to create the pulp used for making paper. Answer Explanation: The answer "water" refers to the liquid that is mixed with wood chips to create the thick paste called pulp. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "water" because Alan describes the step in the paper-making process where a substance is added before heating. He mentions that "water is added" and then the mixture undergoes heating and pulping, which perfectly matches the flow-chart's sequence of events. Keywords here include "added," "mixture," "heated," and "pulp." |
| Q23 | Well, I think we should write 'print' as the next step because this is when newspapers, magazines, etc. are produced. And we could also add that they have to be distributed to stores and people's homes | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Melanie deciding that "print" is the next action in the process, followed by the distribution of the finished paper products to stores and people. Answer Explanation: The answer "print" refers to the process of putting words or images on the paper to create things like newspapers or magazines. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "print" because, in the conversation, Alan asks what happens after the paper is made by the machine. Melanie suggests that the next step should be "print" because that is the stage where items like magazines and newspapers are created. She also mentions that these items must then be "distributed," which matches the phrase "and distribute materials" found in the flow-chart. |
|
| Q24 | sort | The old paper's collected and then it says it's taken somewhere so that someone or something can sort it | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that after the paper is picked up (collected), the next step is to take it to a place to be organized (sort it). Answer Explanation: The answer is the step where workers or machines put the old paper into different groups. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'sort' because, in the recycling section of the conversation, Alan describes what happens after the paper is gathered. He explains that the paper is moved to a place where it can be organized or separated into different types. To 'sort' means to arrange things into groups based on how they are the same or different. |
| Q25 | remove ink | Now, how did our tutor say they do this? Oh yes – it involves chemicals, so – how is your chemistry Well – not very good I'm afraid. But this is how they remove ink so – this is definitely going to need a bit of research |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Melanie mentioning that a specific step in the recycling process uses chemicals. Alan then explains that this step is done to remove the ink from the paper. Answer Explanation: The answer "remove ink" means to take away the colored liquid (ink) used for writing or printing on the old paper so it can be cleaned and reused. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "remove ink" because the flow-chart asks what chemicals are used for during the recycling process. In the transcript, Melanie asks how chemicals are used, and Alan explains that they are used for this specific action. Keywords to note are 'chemicals', which are special liquids used in science, and 'remove', which means to take something away. |
| Q26 | the introduction / introduction | Melanie: Yes. I guess what we need to do is take the processes and divide them up between us. But we could start thinking about an introduction. Alan: Yes, OK well I can start doing that. I think I have enough to go on already |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Melanie suggesting they begin with the introduction, and Alan agrees to start on that specific part immediately. Answer Explanation: The answer is the introduction, which means Alan will begin the project by writing the very first section of the paper. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'introduction' because Melanie suggests they begin by thinking about that section. Alan immediately agrees, saying he can 'start doing that' because he already has plenty of ideas to write it. |
| Q27 | the council / council | Melanie: Good. And there are a few areas where we need a lot more information. I think I'll start with something easy – let's say the paper collection. I could go to the resource centre to do some research. Alan: Well I think a better idea would be to approach someone who's involved in the process. What about contacting the council? Melanie: Oh – good idea. Yes – I'll do that instead. They're bound to have some information | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that Melanie wants to find facts about paper collection. Alan suggests the council as a better source of information, and Melanie decides to follow his advice instead of her original plan. Answer Explanation: The answer means Melanie will get the information from the local government office, which is called the council. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "(the) council" because Melanie needs more information about the paper collection stage. While she initially considers going to a resource centre, Alan suggests contacting the council because they are directly involved in the process. Melanie agrees, saying she will do that "instead." |
| Q28 | some data / data | So what might really bring it to life would be to include some data – provided we can find some | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Melanie suggesting that they add data to their work. She believes this will make the assignment more interesting and exciting, which she describes as 'bringing it to life' for the reader. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the students plan to use numbers and facts, called data, to improve their school report. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is data because Melanie suggests adding it to make the assignment 'bring it to life,' which is another way of saying 'make it more interesting.' She mention that in a previous project, using pictures was not considered 'academic' enough, so she believes including facts and numbers (data) will be a better way to make the work look professional and interesting. |
| Q29 | first draft | The end of the month is nearly three weeks away and then we have a few days' holiday.Alan: Yes – so let's see if we can get the first draft done by then so we can take a short break.Melanie: OK – then after the break we'll have just over a week to complete it | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Melanie talking about the end of the month and their upcoming holiday. Alan replies that they should finish the first version (first draft) of their work before that time starts, and Melanie agrees. Answer Explanation: The answer is the 'first draft', which is the first version or the rough copy of a school project. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'first draft' because Alan and Melanie are talking about their schedule. Melanie mentions that the end of the month is coming soon and they have a holiday right after. Alan agrees and says they should try to finish the first draft by that time ('by then') so they can enjoy their break. Keywords like 'end of the month' help show the deadline, while 'get... done' means to finish or complete. |
| Q30 | their tutor / the tutor / tutor | Alan: Well – the best person would be our tutor. Henry's very good but he's taking a whole week's holiday and there won't be enough time when he returns. Melanie: OK, then. That's fine | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Alan saying that their teacher (the tutor) is the best choice to check their work. He says the friend Henry is busy with a holiday. Melanie says "OK," which shows she agrees to ask the tutor. Answer Explanation: The answer means they will ask their teacher (the tutor) to check their project to see if it is good. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is the tutor because Alan and Melanie decide that the tutor is the most suitable person to help them. At first, Melanie mentions a friend named Henry, but Alan explains that Henry is going on vacation and won't return in time to help. Melanie agreeably accepts the idea of asking the tutor instead. In this context, 'review' means to look over and give notes on their work. |
Transcript
Alan: Hi Melanie – what did you think of the assignment that we got today? It looks interesting, doesn't it?
Melanie: Yes Alan, I've always been interested in recycling but there's a lot of research to do.
Alan: Yes – there are a lot of things I'm unsure of so it's going to be good working with you.
Melanie: OK – well why don't we start by making a flowchart from the notes our tutor gave us?
Alan: Yes, um, so ... on one side we could have the paper production cycle – here on the left – and on the other side the recycling.
Melanie: Good idea. Let's start at the top with the production. The first step in the process is to get the raw materials.
Alan: Yes – and they tend to come from pine forests.
Melanie: OK – and then the bark is removed from the outside of the tree and after that the wood is chopped up – that's the first three stages.
Alan: It sounds a bit complicated after that. Um, it says water is added and then the mixture is heated and made into pulp. This will be the thick paste that is used to make paper.
Melanie: Yes – you're right because after that they use a machine to make the paper and we can put that right in the centre of the flow-chart because it's also where the recycled paper joins the process.
Alan: Yes. So once the paper has been produced in the machine, what happens then?
Melanie: Well, I think we should write 'print' as the next step because this is when newspapers, magazines, etc. are produced. And we could also add that they have to be distributed to stores and people's homes.
Alan: Right, then the recycling bit starts. The old paper's collected and then it says it's taken somewhere so that someone or something can sort it. I imagine there are different kinds of paper – or things like paper clips that need to be removed.
Melanie: Yes. Let's have a step after that. Now, how did our tutor say they do this? Oh yes – it involves chemicals, so – how is your chemistry?
Alan: Well – not very good I'm afraid. But this is how they remove ink so – this is definitely going to need a bit of research.
Melanie: Right – the last step in the recycling section is similar to the last step in the production process with heating and pulping – before the cycle begins again.
[pause]
Alan: So I think going through the processes helped. Now we need to decide how we're going to do this assignment.
Melanie: Yes. I guess what we need to do is take the processes and divide them up between us. But we could start thinking about an introduction.
Alan: Yes, OK ... well I can start doing that. I think I have enough to go on already.
Melanie: Good. And there are a few areas where we need a lot more information. I think I'll start with something easy – let's say the paper collection. I could go to the resource centre to do some research.
Alan: Well I think a better idea would be to approach someone who's involved in the process. What about contacting the council?
Melanie: Oh – good idea. Yes – I'll do that instead. They're bound to have some information. And I know just the thing to add to our work to make it even more interesting.
Alan: And what's that?
Melanie: Well – in my last assignment, I added a few pictures and the feedback I got was that this wasn't 'academic' enough. So what might really bring it to life would be to include some data – provided we can find some.
Alan: Yes – that sounds excellent. Well – we certainly have a lot to do and not much time to do it in.
Melanie: You're right. I think we have about five weeks so I suggest we create a plan of work today. The end of the month is nearly three weeks away and then we have a few days' holiday.
Alan: Yes – so let's see if we can get the first draft done by then so we can take a short break.
Melanie: OK – then after the break we'll have just over a week to complete it. I wonder if we could get someone to review our work for us a few days before the deadline so we can make some final changes. What about your friend Henry?
Alan: Well – the best person would be our tutor. Henry's very good but he's taking a whole week's holiday and there won't be enough time when he returns.
Melanie: OK, then. That's fine.