Professor Jamison’s Advice on Choosing Courses - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From IELTS Recent Actual Test 2 Academic Listening Test 6 · Part 3 · Questions 21–30
Audio
Questions
Questions 21–23 Multiple Choice (Three Answers)
Choose THREE letters, A-G.
Questions 24–27 Multiple Choice (One Answer)
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Questions 28–30 Sentence Completion
Complete the sentences below.
Write ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.
- First draft should be finished by the end of 28.
- Dissertation should be registered with the 29 in the Department Office.
- The student can get the relevant database from the 30 Office.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q21 | — | — | |
| Q22 | — | — | |
| Q23 | B / E / F | It is important to take courses that are relevant to your career path If possible, read online or talk to senior fellows and find out about the structure of the courses And another thing - make sure the topic is either relevant to your major, or something you are interested in learning about |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the tutor giving three specific pieces of advice: choose classes related to a future job (career path), learn how the class is built (structure), and pick a subject (topic) that is useful or interesting. Answer Explanation: The answer means that when picking classes, the student should look at what the class teaches (the topic), how it helps with professional goals (career path), and how the class is organized (the structure). Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is based on the advice given by the tutor throughout the conversation. First, the tutor mentions that it is vital to pick classes that help with a student's future job or career path. Second, the tutor warns the student to check the structure of the classes, such as how much time is spent in labs, so they do not take too many difficult classes at once. Finally, the tutor advises prioritizing the class topic by choosing subjects that are either part of the student's major or interesting to them, instead of just looking for an easy class. |
| Q24 | A | I think it is an interesting class, but I would recommend against it. You are already in Human Anatomy, which also covers Physiology so it would be repetitive, and probably not the best use of your time | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the teacher advising the student not to take the class because they have already learned the material elsewhere, making it a poor choice for how to spend their limited study time. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the teacher believes signing up for this specific class is not a smart way for the student to organize their busy schedule. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the tutor explains that the student is already taking a class called Human Anatomy, which covers the same information as Human Physiology. Because the topics are the same, the tutor says taking this class would be 'repetitive' and 'not the best use of your time.' This directly relates to managing time effectively. |
| Q25 | B | I'm going to do a dissertation instead. I think I will much more enjoy coming up with a thesis and finding all the details to support it | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the student explaining that he wants to do a dissertation. He says he will like it because he wants to create a thesis (a main argument) and look for specific facts (details) to prove that his argument is correct. Answer Explanation: The answer means the student chooses the dissertation because he likes finding facts that prove his main idea or argument. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the student says he would enjoy finding details to support his thesis more than doing a research paper. The word 'support' in the answer choice is a synonym for the phrase 'finding all the details to support it' mentioned in the conversation. He decided against the research paper because the data collection was becoming too difficult and he preferred the structure of the dissertation. |
| Q26 | C | Well, I started doing research. Then the more data I collected, the more complicated things got. I realised I would have to take a lot more steps to randomise the sample, and then I realised I would need to control for more factors | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that as the student gathered more information, the project became much more difficult. They saw that finishing it would require a lot of extra work and careful planning, which made it feel overwhelming or too complex. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the student felt the research paper was too difficult and messy to continue with. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the student explicitly mentions that the research process became difficult as they gathered more information. They explain that they would have needed to take many extra, complex steps to finish it correctly, which led them to choose a dissertation instead. Key words to identify this are 'complicated', 'more steps', and 'control for more factors'. |
| Q27 | A | I interviewed employees at the water treatment facility after Professor Dickinson recommended it | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the student telling the tutor that they spoke with workers at a water plant to collect data. Answer Explanation: The answer is interviews, which means the student talked to people to get information for their study. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the student explicitly mentions the type of work they did to gather information. In the text, the student says they "interviewed employees," which is the same as choice A. This keyword "interviewed" directly links the student's actions to the method of data collection. |
| Q28 | March | STUDENT: Oh wow, it is, isn't it? I just have to finish it by the end of March, right? TUTOR: Yep, but don't forget! The date will really sneak up on you | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the student asking for confirmation that the project must be finished by the end of March, and the teacher confirms this is the correct date by saying "Yep." Answer Explanation: The answer March is the month when the student needs to complete the first version of their writing project. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is March because the student asks the teacher if the deadline to finish the work is at the end of that month. The teacher says "Yep," which means she agrees. Key words that show this are "finish" and "end of March." |
| Q29 | secretary | You should go to the Department Office, and then talk to the secretary | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the teacher giving clear instructions to the student to go to a specific office and talk to the secretary to sign up for their work. Answer Explanation: The answer identifies the person the student should speak with to sign up for their long final project (the dissertation). Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'secretary' because the tutor explicitly tells the student to speak with this specific person in the Department Office to register their dissertation. The student mistakenly thinks they need the Department Head, but the tutor clarifies that the Department Head is only for help with writing, while the secretary handles registration. |
| Q30 | Computer | That you can find in the computer lab, specifically in the office - you'll have to ask a lab technician to give you access | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the tutor telling the student that they can find the research information in the office of the computer lab, and they should talk to the person who works there for help. Answer Explanation: The answer is the word "Computer," which describes the specific location of the office where the student can find a collection of information (database) for their work. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "Computer" because when the student asks for the location of the database for past research, the tutor explains that it is located in the office within the computer lab. By putting "Computer" in the blank space, it shows the student should go to the computer lab's office to get the help they need from a technician. |
Transcript
STUDENT: Hi, Professor Jamison, I was hoping we could talk this week about choosing courses for next semester.
TUTOR: That sounds great! Any idea yet what you would like to take?
STUDENT: Well, I was hoping you could kind of tell me. There are so many to choose from. I don't even know where to start!
TUTOR: Sure. Well, first thing's first. Do you know what you will major in? It is important to take courses that are relevant to your career path.
STUDENT: Well, I think I want to major in Biology. I want to go to medical school, so it seems like it would make sense.
TUTOR: I agree - if you like Biology, it is definitely a good idea to focus on that since so many of the requirements overlap.
STUDENT: Okay, so I should take a few Biology classes then?
TUTOR: Yes. Let's start there. You should pick one or two Biology classes. Not just any Biology classes, though! If possible, read online or talk to senior fellows and find out about the structure of the courses. You don't want to end up signing up for two classes that require labs in the same semester - you'll spend so much time in the Biology Department that you won't see the light of day.
STUDENT: Oh right, good idea. I heard labs can be as long as 4 hours.
TUTOR: That is true. And another thing - make sure the topic is either relevant to your major, or something you are interested in learning about. It sounds obvious, but do not just take a class because you heard it was easy, or because it does not require attendance.
STUDENT: Of course not. Though it would be really nice to have at least one class, that's a little bit less rigorous than the ones I'm taking this semester. I barely sleep as it is with all this studying.
TUTOR: That may have more to do with your study habits, though I don't disagree that your schedule is really difficult this semester.
TUTOR: So any idea which Biology classes you may decide on for next semester?
STUDENT: Well, I was thinking of taking Human Physiology - it sounds relevant and interesting.
TUTOR: I think it is an interesting class, but I would recommend against it. You are already in Human Anatomy, which also covers Physiology so it would be repetitive, and probably not the best use of your time.
STUDENT: If I already know some of the stuff, I could take it to boost my GPA a little bit.
TUTOR: Um, you could maybe do that, except the professor that teaches it is famous for giving out the fewest A's of any professor.
STUDENT: Oh wow. Never mind.
TUTOR: Now, changing subjects, have you decided yet on your research topic?
STUDENT: Well, I actually decided. I don't want to do a research paper. I'm going to do a dissertation instead. I think I will much more enjoy coming up with a thesis and finding all the details to support it.
TUTOR: I see. Didn't you already do some of the research though? What happened to that?
STUDENT: Well, I started doing research. Then the more data I collected, the more complicated things got. I realised I would have to take a lot more steps to randomise the sample, and then I realised I would need to control for more factors.
TUTOR: I see. What kind of data collection did you do?
STUDENT: I interviewed employees at the water treatment facility after Professor Dickinson recommended it.
TUTOR: I understand. Well, the research paper could be much more outside work, but it may be worth it if that is what you are interested in.
STUDENT: No, I am a lot happier just doing the dissertation.
TUTOR: That's fine with me. Just remember, you need to finish your first draft and send it in soon. It's already the middle of February!
STUDENT: Oh wow, it is, isn't it? I just have to finish it by the end of March, right?
TUTOR: Yep, but don't forget! The date will really sneak up on you.
STUDENT: OK, I'll make sure to set reminders in my calendar. And who do I talk to about registering my dissertation?
TUTOR: You should go to the Department Office, and then talk to the secretary.
STUDENT: I thought I needed to talk to the Department Head.
TUTOR: Not for registering. If you need help developing your dissertation, that's when you should go to the Department Head.
STUDENT: Oh, I see. And who would I see about getting access to the database of past research on my topic?
TUTOR: That you can find in the computer lab, specifically in the office - you'll have to ask a lab technician to give you access.
STUDENT: Okay. Well, I'll go ahead and get started on that then. Thanks!