Planning the Media Essay - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 02 Academic Listening Test 2 · Part 3 · Questions 21–30
Audio
Questions
Questions 21–25 Table Completion
Complete the form below.
Write NO MORE THAN ONE WORD for each answer.
| Forms of media | Examples |
|---|---|
|
|
| Pictures |
|
| Audio (listening) |
|
| Audio-visual |
|
| Electronic | 25 |
Questions 26–30 Matching
Write the appropriate letters A - C against questions 26 - 30.
According to the speakers, in which situation are the following media most useful?
A. individual children
B. five or six children
C. whole class
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q21 | newspapers / newspaper | LYNNE: Here you'd have things like books and newspapers, that sort of thing | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Lynne giving examples of print media, specifically naming both books and newspapers as part of that group. Answer Explanation: The answer is newspapers, which are large pieces of paper printed with news, stories, and information for people to read. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is newspapers because when the speakers discuss the category of print media, Lynne mentions them as a specific example right after mention of books. In the transcript, 'print media' refers to items that are made with paper and ink, and 'newspapers' fit this description perfectly alongside books. |
| Q22 | maps / map | Um, and included in these are the pictorial forms of print media, like maps LYNNE: Yes, maps are really just formal pictures, aren't they |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript captures the moment the speakers define maps as a form of media based on images. Robin lists maps as an example of a pictorial form, and Lynne agrees that a map is naturally seen as a type of picture. Answer Explanation: The answer is map(s), which refers to drawings of an area, such as a city or a country, showing where different places are located. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is map(s) because the speakers mention them while discussing media that children use. Robin describes maps as 'pictorial forms,' and 'pictorial' is a word related to pictures. Lynne then confirms this by calling maps 'formal pictures.' In the context of the table, maps are the specific example given for the 'Pictures' category. |
| Q23 | radios / radio | And then there are what we call the audio forms of media where children can listen. CDs and radios are probably the best examples, because a lot of children have access to these especially radios |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript identifies 'audio forms of media' as things children listen to and lists radios along with CDs as the main examples of this type of media. Answer Explanation: The answer is radio or radios, which is a piece of equipment used to hear sound and music sent through the air. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is correct because Lynne identifies this specific device as an example for the 'Audio' category. She explains that audio media are things children can listen to, and she highlights both CDs and radios as the most common examples. |
| Q24 | television / TV | film, television and we mustn't forget videos |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that television is one of the examples given for audio-visual media, along with film and videos. Answer Explanation: The answer is the word television. It can also be shortened to TV. It is a machine that shows pictures with sound. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is found in the section where the speakers talk about "audio-visual media." Audio-visual means you can both see it and hear it. Robin lists three examples for this category: film, television, and videos. Because the form already includes film and videos, television is the correct word to complete the list. |
| Q25 | computers / computer | Yes, but there's a final category as well computers, that make up the so-called electronic media. In the United Kingdom and Australia, they say that one in three families has a computer now |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Lynne talking about the last part of their list. She calls this group 'electronic media' and explains that computers are the things that belong in this group. Answer Explanation: The answer is computers, which is the type of media used as an example for the electronic category. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is computers because in the conversation, Lynne mentions a final group of media called 'electronic media.' She immediately identifies computers as the tools that belong to this specific group. Therefore, computers is the correct example to fill in the form under the 'Electronic' heading. |
| Q26 | B | Let's take tapes next. Although tapes look ideal for individual children, I feel they're best suited to small group work. This way, children don't feel isolated, because they can get help from their friends | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that Robin believes tapes should be used with small groups of students so they can support each other and not feel lonely. Answer Explanation: The answer is option B, which suggests that tapes are most effective when used by a small number of children (five or six) working together. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because Robin explicitly states that tapes are 'best suited to small group work' rather than for just one child. He explains that working in small groups prevents children from feeling 'isolated' (being alone) and allows them to 'get help from their friends.' This 'small group work' matches the size described in choice B. |
| Q27 | B | Computers are the same I think they're better with small numbers of children and they're hardly ever useful with a whole class |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that Robin believes computers work better for a small group of children rather than for just one person or for every student in the class at the same time. Answer Explanation: The answer B means that computers are most helpful when a small group of children, like five or six, works together. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because Robin explicitly states that computers are best used with 'small numbers of children'. He mentions this right after discussing audio tapes, which he believes work best for 'small group work' so that children do not feel alone. Choice B, which describes a group of five or six children, is the only option that matches the idea of a small group or small numbers, as opposed to a single child (individual) or the entire class (whole class). |
| Q28 | C | Videos, however, are ideal for use with everyone present in the class, especially when children have individual activity sheets to help them focus their minds on what's in the video | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that videos are perfect for a situation where every student in the classroom is there to watch and learn together. Answer Explanation: The answer C means that videos are best when used with the entire group of students at the same time. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because one of the speakers explains that videos work very well when all the children in the classroom are watching together. The phrase "everyone present in the class" means the same thing as the "whole class" option. |
| Q29 | A | And what about books, what would you recommend for them? Books are ideal for children to use by themselves. I know they're used with groups in schools, but I wouldn't recommend it | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Lynne explaining that the best way for children to use books is on their own. She mentions that she would not suggest using books with a group of children. Answer Explanation: The answer A means that books are most useful when children use them alone rather than in a group. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because Lynne explicitly states that books are "ideal" for children to use "by themselves." The phrase "by themselves" is a synonym for "individual children." Although she recognizes that some schools use books with groups, she says she does not recommend that approach, confirming that individual use is the best situation. |
| Q30 | B | Other pictorial media like maps, though, are different I'd always plan group work around those give the children a chance to interact and to share ideas |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Lynne explaining that maps should be used for group activities so that children can communicate and help each other learn. Answer Explanation: The answer means that maps are most effective when used by a small group of children working together. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because Lynne explicitly states that she would use maps for 'group work'. She believes this allows children to 'interact' (talk to each other) and 'share ideas'. In the context of the choices provided, a group of 'five or six children' represents the small group setting she is suggesting, as opposed to children working alone (A) or the entire class together (C). |
Transcript
LYNNE: That essay we have to write... the one on how children learn through the media... how are you planning to write it?
ROBIN: Well, I've given it some thought and I think that the best way to approach it is to divide the essay into two parts. First of all, we'd have to look at some examples of each type of media...
LYNNE: Yes, what they are... then we could describe how we can use each medium so that children can learn something from each one.
ROBIN: Exactly. Maybe we could draw up a table and look at examples of each medium in turn. Let's see, the different forms of media would be... the print media...
LYNNE: Here you'd have things like books and newspapers, that sort of thing...
ROBIN: Um, and included in these are the pictorial forms of print media, like maps...
LYNNE: Yes, maps are really just formal pictures, aren't they? And then there are what we call the audio forms of media... where children can listen. CDs and radios are probably the best examples, because a lot of children have access to these... especially radios.
ROBIN: And this would lead into the audio-visual media, which can be seen as well as heard... film, television... and we mustn't forget videos.
LYNNE: Yes, but there's a final category as well... computers, that make up the so-called electronic media. In the United Kingdom and Australia, they say that one in three families has a computer now.
ROBIN: Yes, I believe it. Well that's a good list to start with... we're really getting somewhere with this essay now... so let's move on to when each type of medium could be used. I guess we could start by trying to identify the best situation for each type of media.
LYNNE: What do you mean?
ROBIN: I'm talking about whether each medium should be used with different sized groups. For example, we could look at pictures, and ask whether they're more useful for an individual child, a few children together or a full class—in this case, I'd say pictures are best with individual children, because they give them an opportunity to let their imaginations run wild.
LYNNE: Yes, I see...
ROBIN: Let's take tapes next. Although tapes look ideal for individual children, I feel they're best suited to small group work. This way, children don't feel isolated, because they can get help from their friends. Computers are the same... I think they're better with small numbers of children and they're hardly ever useful with a whole class. Videos, however, are ideal for use with everyone present in the class, especially when children have individual activity sheets to help them focus their minds on what's in the video.
LYNNE: And what about books, what would you recommend for them? Books are ideal for children to use by themselves. I know they're used with groups in schools, but I wouldn't recommend it. Other pictorial media like maps, though, are different ... I'd always plan group work around those... give the children a chance to interact and to share ideas.
ROBIN: I agree... teachers often just leave maps on the wall for children to look at when they have some free time, but kids really enjoy using them for problem solving.
LYNNE: Yes, different people have different ideas I suppose...
ROBIN: Yes, and different teachers recommend different tools for different age groups...