Preparing For An English Literature Test - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Road to IELTS Academic Listening Test 1 · Part 3 · Questions 21–30
Audio
Questions
Questions 21–30 Note Completion
Complete the notes below.
Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.
Novel: 21
Protagonists: Mary Lennox; Colin Craven
Time period: Early in 22
Plot: Mary → UK – meets Colin who thinks he’ll never be able to 23 . They become friends.
Point of view: “Omniscient” – narrator knows all about characters’ feelings, opinions and 24
Audience: Good for children – story simple to follow
Symbols (physical items that represent 25):
- the robin redbreast
- 26
- the portrait of Mistress Craven
Motifs (patterns in the story):
- the Garden of Eden
- secrecy – metaphorical and literal transition from 27
Themes: Connections between
- 28 and outlook
- 29 and well-being
- individuals and the need for 30
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q21 | The Secret Garden | I want to run over some aspects of the novel, The Secret Garden, with you before the test next week | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the teacher telling the students the name of the book they are about to discuss. Answer Explanation: The answer is the name of the book the students are learning about. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is the title of the story being discussed. At the start of the talk, the teacher names the specific book they will review to help the students prepare for their upcoming test. |
| Q22 | the 20th century / 20th century / the twentieth century / twentieth century | The story is set shortly after the turn of the twentieth century, and the narrative tracks the development of the protagonists as they learn to overcome their own personal troubles together | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says the book is set just after the start of the 1900s, which matches the prompt asking for the time period the story is set in. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the story takes place during the beginning of the 1900s, which is known as the 20th century. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is confirmed by the tutor's description of when the story happens. He says it is set 'shortly after the turn of the twentieth century.' The phrase 'shortly after the turn' is another way to say 'early in.' In history, the 1900s are called the 'twentieth century,' so that matches the time period needed to complete the note. |
| Q23 | walk | That’s right – and there she meets Colin who spends his days in an isolated room, believing herself to be permanently crippled with no hope of ever gaining the ability to walk | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript describes Colin as someone who stays in a room alone because he believes his body is damaged forever and that he will never be able to stand up and move on his own legs. Answer Explanation: The answer means to move using your legs and feet. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'walk' because the character Colin thinks he is disabled and will never have the physical capability to use his legs for moving. The transcript mentions he thinks he is 'permanently crippled' and has 'no hope' of ever having the 'ability to walk'. |
| Q24 | motivations / motivation | Omniscient means all-knowing. So, as readers we get to see how all the characters feel about things, what they like and don’t like, and what their motivations are in the story | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that since the narrator knows everything, the readers can see the characters' feelings, what they like or do not like, and the reasons for their behavior. Answer Explanation: The answer means the reasons or goals that explain why the characters act the way they do in the story. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'motivations' because the tutor defines an 'omniscient narrator' as being 'all-knowing.' This means the person telling the story can see inside the characters' minds to understand their feelings, their likes and dislikes (opinions), and their 'motivations,' which are the purposes behind their actions. |
| Q25 | abstract ideas | LORNA: Symbols are things, right? Material things – like objects – that stand for abstract ideas. TUTOR: Absolutely, yes | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Lorna asking if symbols are physical objects that represent non-physical concepts, and the teacher confirms that this is correct. Answer Explanation: The answer "abstract ideas" refers to concepts, qualities, or feelings—such as love, freedom, or wisdom—that do not have a physical presence and cannot be touched. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "abstract ideas" because Lorna defines symbols as physical objects used to represent these non-physical concepts. The tutor confirms her definition is "absolutely" correct, establishing that in this context, symbols are the material tools used to point toward deeper, abstract meanings. |
| Q26 | roses | Roses are used as well – as a personal symbol for Mistress Craven – you’ll see they’re always mentioned alongside her name | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the teacher explaining that roses are used as a special sign (symbol) for a person named Mistress Craven, and they appear in the book whenever she is mentioned. Answer Explanation: The answer roses refers to a specific type of flower used in the story as a special sign to represent a character. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is roses because the teacher explains what symbolism is and gives specific examples from the book. He mentions 'the robin redbreast', 'roses', and the 'portrait of Mistress Craven' as the three physical items used as symbols. Since the robin and the portrait are already written in the list, roses is the missing item needed to finish the notes. |
| Q27 | darkness to lightness / darkness to light / dark to lightness / dark to light | In the beginning, everything is steeped in secrecy, and slowly the characters share their secrets and in the process move from darkness to lightness, metaphorically, but also in the case of Colin, quite literally | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that at the start, there are many secrets, but as the characters share them, they change and move from a state of darkness to a state of lightness. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the characters in the story move from a dark, hidden state to a bright, open state, representing both a change in their feelings and their surroundings. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is chosen because the tutor describes how secrets act as a pattern in the story. This pattern shows a movement from 'darkness' (sadness or hidden things) to 'lightness' (happiness or truth). This change happens in the characters' minds (metaphorically) and in the physical world (literally) when they leave dark rooms for the sunny garden. |
| Q28 | health | The novel explores, for example, the way that health can determine and be determined by our outlook on life | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that the story shows how our physical well-being and our mental attitude affect each other. Answer Explanation: The answer refers to the physical and mental state of a person, specifically whether they are well or sick. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is based on the tutor's explanation of the 'themes' or main ideas in the book. He mentions that the story looks at 'connections,' and the first connection he describes is how a person's physical state or health is linked to their 'outlook,' which means their attitude or way of thinking about life. |
| Q29 | environment | The author also examines the link between our environment and our physical and emotional prosperity | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that the writer of the book looks at how the place where characters live (the environment) is connected to how healthy and successful they feel (well-being). Answer Explanation: The answer is environment, which means the place or the surroundings where a person lives or stays. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'environment' because the tutor explains that one of the main themes in the book is the 'connection' between different things. Specifically, the tutor mentions a 'link' (which is another word for connection) between the 'environment' and 'physical and emotional prosperity'. In the notes provided in the task, 'well-being' is used as a synonym for 'prosperity'. Therefore, 'environment' is the missing word that connects to 'well-being'. |
| Q30 | human companionship | Finally, this book looks at connections between individuals, namely Mary and Colin. This necessity of human companionship is the novel’s most significant theme – because none of their development as individuals would have occurred without their knowing each other | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the book focuses on how people connect with one another. It says that needing to be with others (human companionship) is the main idea because the characters only got better because they knew each other. Answer Explanation: The answer means being with other people and having friends. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is extracted from the tutor's explanation of the book's themes, specifically the connection between individuals. The tutor identifies the "necessity of human companionship" as the most important theme because the characters could only grow by being around each other. In the notes, the word "need" is used as a synonym for "necessity". |
Transcript
Section 3
You will hear a conversation between a tutor and two students who are preparing for an English literature test. First you have some time to look at questions 21 to 24.
[20 seconds]
Listen carefully and answer questions 21 to 24
TUTOR: Hello Lorna, Ian. Glad you could make it. You’re the only two who put your names down for this literature tutorial so let’s get started, shall we? I want to run over some aspects of the novel, The Secret Garden, with you before the test next week. Be sure to take some notes and ask questions if you need to.
IAN: Hey Lorna, have you got a spare pen?
LORNA: Sure, here you are.
TUTOR: Okay, so, the story follows two key characters – you should refer to them as protagonists – who go by the names of Mary Lennox and Colin Craven. The story is set shortly after the turn of the twentieth century, and the narrative tracks the development of the protagonists as they learn to overcome their own personal troubles together.
LORNA: That’s quite a common storyline, isn’t it?
TUTOR: Yes, you’re right, Lorna. So, what can you tell me about the character of Mary?
LORNA: Well, in the beginning she is an angry, rude child who is orphaned after a cholera outbreak and forced to leave India and move to the United Kingdom to her uncle’s house in Yorkshire.
TUTOR: That’s right – and there she meets Colin who spends his days in an isolated room, believing herself to be permanently crippled with no hope of ever gaining the ability to walk. The two strike up a friendship and gradually learn – by encouraging each other – that they can both become healthy, happy and fulfilled in life.
IAN: Will we need to remember a lot of these details for the exam?
TUTOR: Just the basic outline. Examiners don’t want to read a plot summary – they know what the book is about. Focus on narrative techniques instead, such as point of view.
LORNA: What’s that mean?
TUTOR: It’s all about how we see the story. This story, for example, is written from the perspective of what is called an “omniscient narrator”. Omniscient means all-knowing. So, as readers we get to see how all the characters feel about things, what they like and don’t like, and what their motivations are in the story.
Before you hear the rest of the conversation, you have some time to look at questions 25 to 30.
[20 seconds]
Now listen and answer questions 25 to 30.
IAN: Won’t it be hard to write a technical analysis? After all, it’s a kids’ book.
TUTOR: Well, it was initially pitched at adults you know, but over the years it has become seen as a more youth-orientated work. And you’re right in a sense – the simple vocabulary and absence of foreshadowing make the story very easy to follow and ideally suited for children. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t much to analyse. Look at the symbolism, for instance.
LORNA: Symbols are things, right? Material things – like objects – that stand for abstract ideas.
TUTOR: Absolutely, yes. And the author uses many of them. There’s the robin redbreast, for example, which symbolises the wise and gentle nature that Mary will soon adopt – note that the robin is described as “not at all like the birds in India”. Roses are used as well – as a personal symbol for Mistress Craven – you’ll see they’re always mentioned alongside her name. And Mistress Craven’s portrait can also be interpreted as a symbol of her spirit.
IAN: Are symbols just another name for motifs?
TUTOR: No, motifs are a bit different. They don’t have as direct a connection with something the way that a symbol does. Motifs are simply recurring elements of the story that support the mood.
LORNA: Are there any in this novel?
TUTOR: Yes, two very important ones. The Garden of Eden is a motif. It comes up a few times in connection with the garden of the story. And then you’ve got the role that secrets play in the story. In the beginning, everything is steeped in secrecy, and slowly the characters share their secrets and in the process move from darkness to lightness, metaphorically, but also in the case of Colin, quite literally. His room in the beginning has the curtains drawn, and he appears at the end in the brightness of the garden.
IAN: Anything else we need to know about?
TUTOR: Yes. Nearly all novels explore universal concepts that everyone has experienced – things like love, family, loneliness, friendship. These are called themes. The Secret Garden has a few themes that all centre on the idea of connections. The novel explores, for example, the way that health can determine and be determined by our outlook on life. As Colin’s health improves, so too do his perceptions of his strength and possibility. The author also examines the link between our environment and our physical and emotional prosperity. The dark, cramped rooms of the manor house stifle the development of our protagonists; the garden and natural environments allow them to blossom, just as the flowers do. Finally, this book looks at connections between individuals, namely Mary and Colin. This necessity of human companionship is the novel’s most significant theme – because none of their development as individuals would have occurred without their knowing each other. Well, that about sums it up, I think.
LORNA: That’s a great help, thanks.
IAN: Yes, thanks very much.
NARRATOR:
That is the end of section 3. You now have half a minute to check your answers.
[30 seconds]
Now turn to section 4.