Reflective Journal Assignment - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From IELTS Recent Actual Test 3 Academic Listening Test 1 · Part 3 · Questions 21–30
Audio
Questions
Questions 21–26 Multiple Choice (One Answer)
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Questions 27–30 Matching
What is the woman's attitude toward each of the following activities of study?
Choose FOUR answers from the box and write the correct letter, A-E, next to questions 27-30.
A. define a problem
B. independent learning
C. develop study skills
D. gain confidence
E. find it difficult
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q21 | B | firstly you should include the study goals you set yourself at the beginning of the module | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that the professor tells the students to begin by including the goals they made for their studies at the start of the course. Answer Explanation: The answer is study aims for the module, which means the goals or things you want to achieve in the class. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because Professor Tomlinson clearly states that the first thing to put in the journal is the study goals the students created for themselves at the start. In this context, 'aims' and 'goals' have the same meaning: the things you hope to do or learn. He specifically rejects the idea of including suggestions from others first. |
| Q22 | C | Well, looking at this Annie, I can see that you have used a wide range of resources, which shows that you have made effective use of communication technology. As far as I can tell, you need not make any changes to this, although you might want to double check that your referencing complies with the Harvard Referencing Style regulations | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the professor telling Annie that her list of materials is good and varied, and it shows she knows how to use technology well, so she does not need to find more. Answer Explanation: The answer is Annie has already found enough materials for her schoolwork and has used computer tools or the internet very well to find them. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because Professor Tomlinson looks at Annie's list of references and tells her that she has used a 'wide range of resources.' He also mentions that this work proves she used technology effectively. In English, a 'wide range' means she has enough or 'sufficient' materials, and the professor's praise for her 'communication technology' use matches the idea of being a 'good technology user.' |
| Q23 | B | Yes, well I suppose I was asked to become the team leader of the food and beverage department. But that's hardly an achievement | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that Tom was invited to be the leader of his section at his job. This is the main achievement he will talk about in his school work. Answer Explanation: The answer means that Tom was invited to be the leader or boss of his group at work. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because Tom explains that his workplace invited him to be a "team leader." Although Tom did not think this was special, the Professor explains that being offered a leadership role is a significant achievement that shows he has a good personality and can work well under pressure. |
| Q24 | C | I never would have thought to write that down, thank you! I guess I should start listening to others more often | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Tom's reaction to the Professor's helpful advice. He admits that he would not have come up with those ideas on his own and decides that he needs to value the input of other people. Answer Explanation: The answer means that Tom (the man) thinks it is a good idea to pay more attention to what other people say or suggest. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because Tom realizes he was not good at recognizing his own strengths. When the Professor points out that being a team leader at a restaurant is actually a big achievement, Tom is surprised and thankful. He then says word-for-word that he should start listening to other people more frequently. |
| Q25 | B | I'm actually starting to look forward to writing this now, and it should be a really useful exercise to prepare us for writing CVs and applying for jobs | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that Tom is now happy to do the work because he believes it will help him get a job later. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the man is excited to start the assignment and feels positive about it. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because after talking with the professor, Tom explicitly says he is 'looking forward' to the writing task. He changes from being confused and unsure of his achievements to seeing the assignment as a 'useful exercise' that will help him with job applications and his future career. This transition in mood from confusion to positivity confirms he is no longer seeing it as useless or feeling uncertain. |
| Q26 | A | Professor Tomlinson has shown me that I definitely need to start displaying some self-awareness | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Tom directly naming 'self-awareness' as the quality he needs to put into his work after learning how to better identify his own skills. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the man needs to show he understands his own personality, skills, and feelings in his writing. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because, after talking to the professor, Tom realizes he was not good at recognizing his own strengths, such as being a team leader. He explicitly states that the professor's advice helped him see that he needs to include this type of self-understanding in his journal. Keywords here include 'identifying my strengths and weaknesses' and 'self-awareness'. |
| Q27 | A | I think writing an essay might be a way of identifying and resolving a problem, because you have to state the problem in the introduction and then solve it | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Annie saying that an essay involves finding a problem, writing it down clearly in the first part, and then showing how to fix that problem. Answer Explanation: The answer is option A, which means Annie believes that writing an essay is a task where a student finds and explains a specific problem. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because Annie describes writing an essay as a process of 'identifying' a problem and 'resolving' it. She explains that a writer must 'state' (define) the problem at the beginning and then provide a solution throughout the text. Therefore, her attitude toward this activity is that it helps to define a problem. |
| Q28 | D | If I really had to choose, I'd say that taking exams enables you to become more confident in yourself do you agree |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Annie's opinion that taking tests or exams makes a student feel better about their own abilities. Answer Explanation: The answer D means that Annie thinks taking exams helps a person feel more sure of themselves. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is D because Annie specifically mentions taking exams at the end of the conversation. She says that she believes taking exams helps someone become more confident. The word 'confident' is very similar to the answer 'gain confidence.' |
| Q29 | B | Annie: Oh it's so difficult! I think making class notes has to be a way of becoming a more independent learner because you yourself decide what the important information is and learn it | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Annie believes that when a student makes notes in class, they are acting as an independent learner because they are choosing what is necessary to learn. Answer Explanation: The answer B means that the woman thinks writing down notes during class is a way to learn how to study on your own. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because Annie clearly states that taking class notes is a method for becoming an independent learner. She explains that this happens because the student is the one who decides which information is important enough to write down and study without someone else telling them. Keywords like 'independent learner' in the text directly match 'independent learning' in the options. |
| Q30 | E | That reminds me, I find taking presentation notes is a disaster! The professors speak much too quickly, and I write much too slowly | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Annie expressing her struggle with this task, specifically noting that the speed of the professors and her own writing speed make it a very bad experience for her. This directly correlates to 'finding it difficult'. Answer Explanation: The answer E means that the woman, Annie, finds this specific study activity hard to do. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is E because Annie describes her experience with taking presentation notes in a very negative way. She calls it a 'disaster' and explains that she cannot keep up because the teachers talk too fast while she writes too slowly. These reasons clarify that she finds the task difficult or troublesome. |
Transcript
Tom: Professor Tomlinson, may Annie and I please quickly ask you a few questions about the reflective journal assignment? It's just that we're a bit confused as to what you want us to include and discuss.
Prof. Tomlinson: Yes of course, what are you having trouble with?
Annie: Well, everything really. To start with, what should be included first in the reflective journal? Perhaps suggestions from others?
Prof. Tomlinson: No no, firstly you should include the study goals you set yourself at the beginning of the module. This section should have been discussed in some detail towards the beginning of the course by Professor May. You should be able to find her suggestions on the slides she has provided the class online.
Annie: Okay, thank you, Professor. Could I also trouble you to take a brief look at my bibliography and footnotes? I feel like they're missing something; most of our friends' bibliographies are longer.
Prof. Tomlinson: Well, looking at this Annie, I can see that you have used a wide range of resources, which shows that you have made effective use of communication technology. As far as I can tell, you need not make any changes to this, although you might want to double check that your referencing complies with the Harvard Referencing Style regulations.
Annie: Oh I'm very surprised you've said that! Thank you, now I can set my mind at ease. Tom, you said you wanted to ask the Professor about the achievements section?
Tom: Ah yes, Professor, in the assignment guidelines, we are asked to introduce and elaborate on our biggest achievement in the past, saying which skills we learnt in the process, and how these skills can be transferred to various different future careers. The only problem is that I don't know what my greatest achievement actually is. I've only ever worked as a waiter in a hotel restaurant during the summer holidays from university.
Prof. Tomlinson: If you worked as a waiter in a hotel restaurant, you're bound to have worked with other waiters as part of a team. Would you say that during your time as a waiter, you developed any leadership skills?
Tom: Yes, well I suppose I was asked to become the team leader of the food and beverage department. But that's hardly an achievement.
Prof. Tomlinson: You might not think so, but if you write that you were offered the position of the team leader, it shows a lot more about your character, for example that you're charismatic and work well in a high-pressure situation.
Tom: I never would have thought to write that down, thank you! I guess I should start listening to others more often! Annie, do you have any more questions or are you ready to go back to the library?
Annie: Yeah, I think I've got everything I need. Thank you very much, Professor Tomlinson!
[Tom and Annie alone]
Tom: That was really helpful. I'm actually starting to look forward to writing this now, and it should be a really useful exercise to prepare us for writing CVs and applying for jobs. It's shocking how bad I am at identifying my strengths and weaknesses. Professor Tomlinson has shown me that I definitely need to start displaying some self-awareness!
Annie: Yeah, Tom, you really do. You're always so modest! Modesty is great until it comes to applying for jobs!
Annie: Oh no! I forgot to ask the professor about the section on identifying the skills gained through different activities, do you remember? When it asks you, for example, whether writing an essay develops your study skills or your independent learning and so on?
Tom: Oh goodness, we really should have asked him that. I've been having trouble with it too. It just seems like such a pointless task. What do you reckon the answers are?
Annie: Hmm...I think writing an essay might be a way of identifying and resolving a problem, because you have to state the problem in the introduction and then solve it. I'm not so sure about taking exams...I thought they were supposed to develop lots of different skill sets. If I really had to choose, I'd say that taking exams enables you to become more confident in yourself...do you agree?
Tom: Maybe, I really don't know either. What do you think about the last two? Making class notes and presentation notes?
Annie: Oh it's so difficult! I think making class notes has to be a way of becoming a more independent learner because you yourself decide what the important information is and learn it. That reminds me, I find taking presentation notes is a disaster! The professors speak much too quickly, and I write much too slowly. [fade out]