Planning A Presentation On Nanotechnology - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 13 Academic Listening Test 2 · Part 3 · Questions 21–30
Audio
Questions
Questions 21–25 Multiple Choice (One Answer)
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Planning a presentation on nanotechnology
Questions 26–30 Matching
What comments do the speakers make about each of the following aspects of Russ’s previous presentation?
Choose FIVE answers from the box and write the correct letter, A-G, next to Questions.
Comments
A lacked a conclusion
B useful in the future
C not enough
D sometimes distracting
E showed originality
F covered a wide range
G not too technical
Aspects of Russ’s previous presentation
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q21 | B | Should I assume the other students don’t know much, and give them a kind of general introduction, or should I try and make them share my fascination with a particular aspect? | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Russ questioning whether he should give a broad introduction to nanotechnology for students who might not know much about it, or focus on a specific aspect to get them interested. Answer Explanation: The answer B suggests that Russ is uncertain about what he should aim for in his presentation. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because Russ is contemplating whether to provide a general overview to his audience or try to engage them by focusing on a particular aspect. This uncertainty about the presentation's goal aligns with choice B, which mentions his uncertainty about what he should try to achieve. |
| Q22 | A | Or another way would be to focus on its impact in one particular area | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript suggests that focusing on the impact of nanotechnology in one specific area is one possible approach for the presentation. Answer Explanation: The answer chosen, 'A,' means to concentrate on how nanotechnology is used in one field. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'A' because it aligns with the idea presented in the excerpt, emphasizing focusing on the impact in a specific area, therefore supporting the notion of concentrating on how nanotechnology is used in one field. |
| Q23 | C | While it can be good to includes slides, you could end up spending too long looking for suitable ones. You might find it better to leave them out. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript suggests that although using slides in a presentation can be good, it might take a long time to find suitable ones. So, it might be better to not include slides at all. Answer Explanation: The answer suggests that it could be a good idea to omit slides completely from the presentation. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the excerpt advises that it might be more efficient to leave out slides to avoid spending too much time searching for suitable ones, indicating that considering omitting slides altogether could be a reasonable approach. |
| Q24 | C | So, maybe I should mention a particular way that nanotechnology is used, to focus people’s attention. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript suggests that Russ is considering mentioning a specific example of how nanotechnology is used to grab the audience's interest. Answer Explanation: The answer 'C' suggests that providing an example would be the best way for Russ to start his presentation. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'C' because by providing a specific example of how nanotechnology is used, Russ can capture the audience's attention and make the topic more relatable and engaging for them. |
| Q25 | A | write a single short sentence that ties together the whole presentation | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript suggests that Russ needs to compose a concise sentence that captures the main idea of his entire presentation. Answer Explanation: The answer advises Russ to summarize the main point he wants to make, which aligns with the suggestion in the excerpt. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'A' (summarise the main point he wants to make) because summarizing the main point in a single sentence can help Russ tie together and effectively communicate the key message of his presentation to his audience. |
| Q26 | A | With regard to the structure. I felt that you ended rather abruptly, without rounding it off. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript mentions that the speaker felt Russ ended his presentation too suddenly without properly concluding it. Answer Explanation: The answer indicates that the presentation lacked a proper conclusion. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'A' because the feedback provided in the excerpt points out that Russ's presentation abruptly ended without a proper concluding part, which aligns with the interpretation that the presentation lacked a conclusion. |
| Q27 | C | And you made very little eye contact with the audience, because you were looking down at your notes most of the time. You need to be looking at the audience and only occasionally glancing at your notes. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that Russ did not look at the audience much during the presentation and mostly focused on reading his notes. It suggests that it's important to look at the audience more than the notes. Answer Explanation: The answer indicates that the speakers felt there was not enough eye contact made by Russ during the presentation. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'C' because the speakers mentioned that Russ made very little eye contact with the audience, stating that he mostly looked down at his notes. Therefore, the response 'not enough' fits well with the explanation given in the excerpt. |
| Q28 | D | Your body language was a little odd. Every time you showed a slide, you turned your back on the audience so you could look at it – you should have been looking at your laptop. And you kept scratching your head, so I found myself wondering when you were next going to do that, instead of listening to what you were saying! | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript describes how Russ's body language in the presentation was not ideal. It mentions that he turned his back to the audience to look at slides and kept scratching his head, which could be distracting. Answer Explanation: The answer 'D' indicates that the comments about Russ’s body language in the presentation were sometimes distracting. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'D' because the feedback about Russ's body language being distracting aligns with the description in the excerpt, where it mentions him turning his back on the audience and scratching his head, leading to a less effective presentation delivery. |
| Q29 | G | You used a few words that are specific to the field, but you always explained what they meant, so the audience wouldn’t have had any difficulty understanding. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript is saying that although some technical words were used by the speaker, Russ, he always made sure to explain them in a way that made it easy for the audience to understand. Answer Explanation: The answer indicates that the presentation did not include overly complicated or difficult technical language that might confuse the audience. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer 'G' is 'not too technical' because the excerpt explains that the speaker used field-specific words but ensured that the audience could comprehend them by providing explanations. This implies that the presentation maintained a balance between technical content and accessibility for the audience, meeting the criteria of 'not too technical.' |
| Q30 | B | the handouts you prepared were well thought out. They were a good summary of your presentation, which people would be able to refer to later on. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript is saying that the handouts Russ prepared were well done. They were a good summary of his presentation that people could use later on. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the handouts Russ made would be helpful or valuable for future use. They would be good to have and refer back to. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'B' because the excerpt mentioned that the handouts were a good summary and something people could refer to in the future, indicating their usefulness for future reference. |
Transcript
TUTOR: Ah … come in, Russ.
RUSS: Thank you.
TUTOR: Now you wanted to consult me about your class presentation on nanotechnology – you’re due to give it in next week, aren’t you?
RUSS: That’s right. And I’m really struggling. I chose the topic because I didn’t know much about it and wanted to learn more, but now I’ve read so much about it, in a way there’s too much to say – I could talk for much longer than the twenty minutes I’ve been allocated. Should I assume the other students don’t know much, and give them a kind of general introduction, or should I try and make them share my fascination with a particular aspect?
TUTOR: You could do either, but you’ll need to have it clear in your own mind.
RUSS: Then I think I’ll give an overview.
TUTOR: OK. Now, one way of approaching this is to work through developments in chronological order.
RUSS: Uh-huh.
TUTOR: On the other hand, you could talk about the numerous ways that nanotechnology is being applied.
RUSS: You mean things like thin films on camera displays to make them water-repellent, and additives to make motorcycle helmets stronger and lighter.
TUTOR: Exactly. Or another way would be to focus on its impact in one particular area, say medicine, or space exploration.
RUSS: That would make it easier to focus. Perhaps I should do that.
TUTOR: I think that would be a good idea.
RUSS: Right. How important is it to include slides in the presentation?
TUTOR: They aren’t essential, by any means. And there’s a danger of tailoring what you say to fit whatever slides you can find. While it can be good to includes slides, you could end up spending too long looking for suitable ones. You might find it better to leave them out.
RUSS: I see. Another thing I was wondering about was how to start. I know presentations often begin with ‘First I’m going to talk about this, and then I’ll talk about that’, but I thought about asking the audience what they know about nanotechnology.
TUTOR: That would be fine if you had an hour or two for the presentation, but you might find that you can’t do anything with the answers you get, and it simply eats into the short time that’s available.
RUSS: So, maybe I should mention a particular way that nanotechnology is used, to focus people’s attention.
TUTOR: That sounds sensible.
RUSS: What do you think I should do next? I really have to plan the presentation today and tomorrow.
TUTOR: Well, initially I think you should ignore all the notes you’ve made, take a small piece of paper, and write a single short sentence that ties together the whole presentation: it can be something as simple as ‘Nanotechnology is already improving our lives’. Then start planning the content around that. You can always modify that sentence later, if you need to.
RUSS: OK.
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TUTOR: OK, now let’s think about actually giving the presentation. You’ve only given one before, if I remember correctly, about an experiment you’d been involved in.
RUSS: That’s right. It was pretty rubbish!
TUTOR: Let’s say it was better in some respects than in others. With regard to the structure. I felt that you ended rather abruptly, without rounding it off. Be careful not to do that in next week’s presentation.
RUSS: OK.
TUTOR: And you made very little eye contact with the audience, because you were looking down at your notes most of the time. You need to be looking at the audience and only occasionally glancing at your notes.
RUSS: Mmm.
TUTOR: Your body language was a little odd. Every time you showed a slide, you turned your back on the audience so you could look at it – you should have been looking at your laptop. And you kept scratching your head, so I found myself wondering when you were next going to do that, instead of listening to what you were saying!
RUSS: Oh dear. What did you think of the language? I knew that not everyone was familiar with the subject, so I tried to make it as simple as I could.
TUTOR: Yes, that came across. You used a few words that are specific to the field, but you always explained what they meant, so the audience wouldn’t have had any difficulty understanding.
RUSS: Uh-huh.
TUTOR: I must say the handouts you prepared were well thought out. They were a good summary of your presentation, which people would be able to refer to later on. So well done on that.
RUSS: Thank you.
TUTOR: Well, I hope that helps you with next week’s presentation.
RUSS: Yes, it will. Thanks a lot.
TUTOR: I’ll look forward to seeing a big improvement, then.