Research For The Anthropology Project - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From IELTS Recent Actual Test 5 Academic Listening Test 1 · Part 3 · Questions 21–30
Audio
Questions
Questions 21–24 Multiple Choice (One Answer)
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Questions 25–30 Matching
According to the speakers, what function has tapa played in the following countries?
Write the correct letter, A, B, C or D, next to Questions 25-30.
A. recreational
B. practical
C. spiritual
D. commercial
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q21 | C | But what set pacific tapa apart is the incredible variety role it's played in this region | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the thing that makes Pacific tapa cloth special (sets it apart) is the many different ways (variety role) it is used in the Pacific area. Answer Explanation: The answer means that Pacific tapa cloth is used for many different purposes and in many different ways compared to tapa cloth from other parts of the world. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the student, Helen, says that although other areas of the world make high-quality bark cloth, the Pacific version is unique because of the many different roles or uses it has. Later in the talk, they mention it being used for ceremonies, daily housework, money, and even gardening clothes, which explains the "wider range of uses" mentioned in the choice. |
| Q22 | B | In fact, it wasn't discovered in the islands at first, but was carried in canoes by the first migrants | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that this tree was not originally on the islands. The people who first moved to the islands had to bring the tree with them in their boats. Answer Explanation: The answer means that this specific tree did not originally grow in the Pacific islands; it was brought there from somewhere else. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because Helen explains that the tree was not found on the islands originally. Instead, the first people who moved there (migrants) brought it with them in their boats (canoes). This means the tree is not 'native' (originally from that place). Helen also says that the tree 'doesn't thrive in all conditions,' which means it cannot grow everywhere (making option C wrong). She also explains that while the breadfruit tree provides food, the paper mulberry tree is only used to make cloth (making option A wrong). |
| Q23 | C | The thing was after they'd been in New Zealand a bit, they found the flax plant is superior to tapa, because it makes stronger fabric. By the time Europeans arrived in the 18th century, Mao were producing all their fabric from flax rather than the tapa and had been for some time | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that after living in New Zealand for a while, the Maori discovered that flax was better than tapa because it was stronger. By the time people from Europe reached the islands, the Maori were already making all their cloth from flax instead of tapa. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the Maori people found a natural material in New Zealand that worked better for making cloth than the bark they used before. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the tutor explains that while the Maori brought trees with them to make tapa, they found a different plant called flax once they arrived in New Zealand. They considered flax to be superior—meaning better—because it could create a fabric that was stronger than tapa cloth. As a result, they switched to using flax completely long before Europeans ever arrived. |
| Q24 | A | then the various pieces are glued together using adhesive paste made from the aloe root tuber, which is the only way to fabricate large pieces of cloth because bark strings are too fine to be woven together and stitch isn't strong enough | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that small pieces of bark are joined with a sticky glue to make large pieces of cloth. It also notes that they cannot be woven because they are too thin, and they cannot be sewn (stitched) because it is not strong enough. Answer Explanation: The answer means that big pieces of tapa cloth are made by joining small pieces with glue. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because Helen describes how large tapa sheets are created. She says that pieces are 'glued together' using a sticky paste (called an adhesive). She also explains that weaving is impossible because the bark is too thin, and sewing (using a 'stitch') is not strong enough to hold. Therefore, they must be stuck together. |
| Q25 | C | Well, I think Samoa is the typical place known for its Seaple, which is hand-painted with representations of the ancestors. Till now, at the most profound events in lives, such as births, funerals, weddings and the investiture of chief, some are with Seaple ropes to add significance and eating to the ceremony | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that in Samoa, the hand-painted cloth shows ancestors and is used during very important life ceremonies like funerals and weddings to make the events more meaningful. Answer Explanation: The answer means that in Samoa, the cloth is used for ceremonies and traditional activities related to deep personal or religious beliefs. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the tutor describes the cloth in Samoa as having pictures of ancestors on it. He also mentions it is used during birth, marriage, and death ceremonies. These types of events and symbols represent a spiritual role rather than just a daily practical one or a business one. Keywords like 'ancestors' and 'profound events' indicate this spiritual significance. |
| Q26 | B | Then I can talk about Tonga. It seems to me that the great innovation in Tonga has been developing a simple coarse cloth, which is quick and easy to produce. This is suitable for all sorts of daily functions around the house like bed covers, nets and curtains | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that in Tonga, the cloth is made for normal, everyday activities in the house, like making blankets or curtains. Answer Explanation: The answer B means that in Tonga, tapa cloth is used for everyday, useful tasks in the home. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer B is right because the student (Helen) explains that in Tonga, the tapa cloth is made quickly and simply for "daily functions." She lists items such as bed covers, nets, and curtains as examples. Since these items help with household needs and chores, they are described as "practical." Key phrases to notice are "daily functions around the house" and "suitable for all sorts," which indicate simple, useful applications. |
| Q27 | C | One type of thick cloth, called Tikoda, was wrapped around the poles and used to make the entrances to places of worship, and therefore, was highly regarded in local culture | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the cloth was used for the doors of buildings where people go to pray or worship. Because of this religious use, the cloth held a special, holy place in their society. Answer Explanation: The answer means that in the Cook Islands, tapa cloth is used for religious or holy reasons. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is spiritual because the transcript explains that a specific kind of tapa cloth was used to build the entrances to 'places of worship.' A 'place of worship' is a building where people go to pray or practice their religion, which is what the word 'spiritual' describes. Because it was used for these holy buildings, the cloth was very important in their local culture. |
| Q28 | D | tapa was actually used as currency there. Fijians used to sail between the islands and exchange tapa for other commodities like canoes or pigs | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that in Fiji, people used tapa cloth as money to trade for things they needed, such as animals or boats. Answer Explanation: The answer 'D' means that tapa cloth in Fiji was used for business, trading, or as a form of money. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is D because the tutor explains that in Fiji, tapa cloth functioned as 'currency' (money). He mentions that people would 'exchange' (trade) the cloth for other items like 'pigs' or 'canoes'. This use of an item to buy or trade goods is what defines a 'commercial' purpose. |
| Q29 | A | You are right about the Tahitians using coloured pigments, but they aren't more valuable. The colours are only decoration. People enjoy wearing bright robes especially for dancing and competitive games and do it just for fun | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the colored clothes in Tahiti are used for decoration and that people enjoy wearing them for dancing and games because they find it fun. This confirms the use is recreational. Answer Explanation: The answer 'A' means that in Tahiti, people use tapa cloth for fun activities like games or dancing. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is correct because the tutor clarifies that in Tahiti, the colorful tapa cloth is used for things people do for enjoyment. He mentions that they wear these clothes for dancing and competitive games 'just for fun.' In English, doing an activity for fun or pleasure is described as being 'recreational.' |
| Q30 | B | Well, the last place I was going to mention was Tikopia. Even today it's a common place to see wearing clothes made of tapa cloth. And on many of the other islands, the tapa only come out on special occasions. But here you see people working in the gardens wearing tapa | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that in Tikopia, tapa cloth is used for normal, daily clothes. Even though other islands only use it for special events, the people in Tikopia use it as work clothes while gardening. Answer Explanation: The answer B means that in Tikopia, tapa cloth is used for everyday work and basic needs. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because Helen notes that in Tikopia, people wear tapa cloth while working in their gardens. This shows that the fabric is used for daily life and physical labor, which makes its function 'practical' rather than just for decoration or special ceremonies. |
Transcript
Tutor: Come in, Helen, what can I do for you?
Helen: Well, I'm doing research for the anthropology project. And I was hoping to ask some help for a few details.
Tutor: Sure. I remember you opted Pacific tapa cloth as the topic, didn't you? What do you figure out so far?
Helen: Well, I was going to introduce my project by stating that tapa cloth is fibre made from bark, just the out layer of the trees, which particularly universal among the Pacific Islands, but not exclusive to them. Actually, people in other parts of the world have also produced high-quality cloth from bark. But what set pacific tapa apart is the incredible variety role it's played in this region.
Tutor: Nice! So what about raw materials that used in the production?
Helen: Well, tapa cloth is made from many species of tree. In the Pacific, the paper mulberry tree is most common, but it doesn't thrive in all conditions. In fact, it wasn't discovered in the islands at first, but was carried in canoes by the first migrants. Tapa is also made from the breadfruit tree, which is a more convenient way, because its fruit is the staple food. The paper mulberry tree is only grown for tapa making mill.
Tutor: Yes, that's right. Then how about the Maori people here in New Zealand?
Helen: But at present the Maori don't produce tapa.
Tutor: Yeah, but I suggest you should take it into account. We know that when Maori migrate here from other pacific islands, they were ready to produce tapa because they took the paper mulberry tree with them. The thing was after they'd been in New Zealand a bit, they found the flax plant is superior to tapa, because it makes stronger fabric. By the time Europeans arrived in the 18th century, Mao were producing all their fabric from flax rather than the tapa and had been for some time.
Helen: OK. So in terms of the production process itself, first the inner bark is beaten with wooden hammer to soften the fibres; then the various pieces are glued together using adhesive paste made from the aloe root tuber, which is the only way to fabricate large pieces of cloth because bark strings are too fine to be woven together and stitch isn't strong enough.
Tutor: So now you should do more research on the details about different countries.
Helen: Where should I go into now?
Tutor: Well, I think Samoa is the typical place known for its Seaple, which is hand-painted with representations of the ancestors. Till now, at the most profound events in lives, such as births, funerals, weddings and the investiture of chief, some are with Seaple ropes to add significance and eating to the ceremony.
Helen: OK. Then I can talk about Tonga. It seems to me that the great innovation in Tonga has been developing a simple coarse cloth, which is quick and easy to produce. This is suitable for all sorts of daily functions around the house like bed covers, nets and curtains.
Tutor: Good point. Now what about Cook Islands tapa?
Helen: Well, the Sweallier is of poor quality; consequently, the bread fruit tree is often used. One type of thick cloth, called Tikoda, was wrapped around the poles and used to make the entrances to places of worship, and therefore, was highly regarded in local culture.
Tutor: You might mention Fiji as well, which is interesting, because tapa was actually used as currency there. Fijians used to sail between the islands and exchange tapa for other commodities like canoes or pigs.
Helen: I know that in Tahiti, the tapa cloth is regarded differently, because the patterns are in colour, which is considered more valuable than the usual patterns.
Tutor: You are right about the Tahitians using coloured pigments, but they aren't more valuable. The colours are only decoration. People enjoy wearing bright robes especially for dancing and competitive games and do it just for fun.
Helen: Oh, I'll take a note of it. Well, the last place I was going to mention was Tikopia. Even today it's a common place to see wearing clothes made of tapa cloth. And on many of the other islands, the tapa only come out on special occasions. But here you see people working in the gardens wearing tapa.
Tutor: Sound promising, Helen. I'll look forward to the presentation of your project.