Public Speaking - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Succeed in IELTS Academic Listening Test 9 · Part 4 · Questions 31–40
Audio
Questions
Questions 31–35 One Choice
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Questions 36–40 Sentence Completion
Complete the sentences below.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
- Try to 36 yourself making a speech and imagine your voice loud and confident.
- Even if you make mistakes avoid making 37 .
- Pay attention to your 38 - your words carry less meaning than your delivery.
- People usually remember less than 39 of what they hear.
- Be 40 about yourself; you don't become a perfect speaker overnight.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q31 | A | First and foremost, you've got to know your material | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that before anything else, a speaker must know and understand the content of their presentation. Answer Explanation: The answer means that people who give speeches must fully understand the information and topic they are talking about. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the speaker introduces their first and most important point by stating, "you've got to know your material." The phrase "you've got to" is a common synonym for "have to," showing that understanding one's content is an essential requirement. |
| Q32 | B | Even the most experienced speakers never turn up unprepared and never try to wing it | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that even people who give speeches very often always prepare beforehand and never try to speak without getting ready first. Answer Explanation: The answer B means that skilled speakers with a lot of experience always prepare before they come to speak. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the speaker explicitly states that even very experienced speakers never arrive without preparing. In English, the phrase "turn up" is a synonym for "arrive." Therefore, saying they "never turn up unprepared" means they "never arrive unprepared." |
| Q33 | B | Rehearse well in advance, and preferably out loud, and with all the equipment you plan on using | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that when you practice your presentation before the event, you should speak out loud and practice with all the equipment you intend to use. Answer Explanation: The answer means that when you practice your speech, you should use every tool and machine that you will use during the real talk. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the speaker advises rehearsing ahead of time using every tool you need. In the talk, the speaker specifically mentions to rehearse 'with all the equipment you plan on using.' Choice A is incorrect because meeting the audience is suggested, but not practicing with friends who give advice. Choice C is not the exact direct completion given for how you should rehearse in that specific piece of advice. |
| Q34 | C | Get to know your audience before you have to stand up in front of them. Meet and greet them on the way in, perhaps | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that you should try to meet the people who will listen to your presentation and say hello to them as they arrive. Answer Explanation: The answer means that it is helpful to say hello and welcome the people listening to you before you start talking. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the speaker suggests meeting the listeners before the speech starts. In the talk, the speaker advises to "meet and greet them on the way in." In English, the phrase "greet" means to "welcome" someone, which matches the idea to "meet and welcome your audience." |
| Q35 | C | In fact, even before you start, take a few deep breaths. You know - one one-thousand, two one-thousand, three one-thousand - this will turn your nervous energy into enthusiasm | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that if you breathe deeply before you begin, your nervous feelings will turn into excitement. Answer Explanation: The answer means that taking slow, deep breaths before starting your speech will change your worried feelings into positive excitement. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the speaker clearly mentions taking deep breaths right before starting to speak. The speaker explains that doing this will transform nervous energy into enthusiasm. Here, the word "tension" means the same thing as "nervous energy". |
| Q36 | visualise / visualize | Visualise yourself making the speech in the way that you intend. Imagine your voice loud and confident, and picture the audience clapping and rooting for you | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that you should picture yourself giving your talk successfully and imagine that your voice sounds loud and full of confidence. Answer Explanation: The answer "visualise" means to create a clear picture of something in your mind. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is supported by the speaker's advice on how to build confidence. The speaker tells the audience to "Visualise yourself making the speech" and then says to imagine speaking in a loud, confident voice. The word "visualise" directly fits the sentence blank. |
| Q37 | apologies | Whatever you do, avoid making unnecessary apologies. If you make a mistake or two, forget about it | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that you should not say sorry needlessly if you make one or two small errors during your speech. Answer Explanation: The answer means saying sorry to people. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "apologies" because the speaker advises the audience to "avoid making unnecessary apologies" even if they make a mistake or two. Keywords to look for are "mistakes" (matched with "make a mistake or two") and "avoid making" (matching "avoid making unnecessary apologies"). |
| Q38 | body language | People often forget the importance of body language. Don't underestimate this. Your words carry far less meaning than your delivery | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that people frequently overlook how important body language is, and it warns that the actual spoken words matter much less than the way a person presents them. Answer Explanation: The answer means using your physical posture, gestures, and movements to communicate. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "body language" because the speaker advises listeners not to underestimate how they move and stand, explaining that your words hold much less meaning than how you actually deliver the speech. In the task, the phrase "Pay attention to your" corresponds to being mindful of the "importance of body language" rather than ignoring or underestimating it. |
| Q39 | 25% | We remember less than 25 percent of what is said and place far more emphasis on how it is said | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that people usually recall less than a quarter (25 percent) of the spoken words they listen to. Answer Explanation: The answer means twenty-five out of one hundred, written as a percentage (25% or 25 percent). Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 25% because the speaker mentions that humans are poor listeners and only keep in mind a tiny fraction of spoken words. In the sentence, "what they hear" matches "what is said", and the speaker directly states that we remember "less than 25 percent". |
| Q40 | realistic | Last of all, be realistic and give yourself a chance. No one becomes the perfect speaker overnight | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript tells the listener to be realistic and patient with themselves, because nobody becomes an expert speaker in just one day. Answer Explanation: The answer "realistic" means having practical and sensible expectations about what you can do, without expecting to be perfect immediately. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "realistic" because the sentence asks what you should be about yourself since you cannot become a perfect speaker right away. The speaker directly uses the words "be realistic" when reminding listeners that "No one becomes the perfect speaker overnight." |
Transcript
It is only natural to feel somewhat nervous before giving a speech, and while a few nerves never did any harm - and can in fact prove beneficial - letting your nerves overcome you can be detrimental. Today's presentation will focus on ways to control those butterflies and help you to give better presentations in future.
First and foremost, you've got to know your material. I can't stress that enough. If you fail to prepare, you might as well prepare to fail. Even the most experienced speakers never turn up unprepared and never try to wing it. Personalise your subject and use humour, anecdotes and conversational language. This will make it easier for you to remember what you want to say.
Secondly, practise, practise, practise! Rehearse well in advance, and preferably out loud, and with all the equipment you plan on using. Practise your timing - when to pause and when to breathe - and prepare for the unexpected. Something always goes wrong, especially when you are relying on technology. So always have a back-up plan.
Get to know your audience before you have to stand up in front of them. Meet and greet them on the way in, perhaps. It is much easier to talk to a group of friends than a group of strangers. And, just as importantly, know your room as well. Arrive early, pace the speaking area and practice using the microphone and visual aids.
The hardest part is trying to relax. Never rush straight into your speech. Begin slowly and address the audience first. In fact, even before you start, take a few deep breaths. You know - one one-thousand, two one-thousand, three one-thousand - this will turn your nervous energy into enthusiasm.
Visualisation can be a great confidence booster. Visualise yourself making the speech in the way that you intend. Imagine your voice loud and confident, and picture the audience clapping and rooting for you. Remember, people want you to succeed. The audience wants to hear an interesting and insightful speech. They aren't hoping you make a fool of yourself.
Whatever you do, avoid making unnecessary apologies. If you make a mistake or two, forget about it. Few will notice and it will all be forgotten before too long.
People often forget the importance of body language. Don't underestimate this. Your words carry far less meaning than your delivery. Success is defined by your intonation and confidence. If you come across as a confident person, people will listen to you - you will command their attention. Stand tall and proud and deliver with conviction. Humans are very bad listeners. We remember less than 25 percent of what is said and place far more emphasis on how it is said.
Last of all, be realistic and give yourself a chance. No one becomes the perfect speaker overnight. It takes time to hone your presentation skills.