Research Into Loneliness - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 20 Academic Listening Test 1 · Part 3 · Questions 21–30
Audio
Questions
Questions 21–22 Multiple Choice (Two Answers)
Choose TWO letters, A E.
Questions 23–24 Multiple Choice (Two Answers)
Choose TWO letters, A–E.
Questions 25–26 Multiple Choice (Two Answers)
Choose TWO letters, A–E.
Questions 27–30 Multiple Choice (One Answer)
Choose the correct letter, A, B, or C.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q21 | — | — | |
| Q22 | C / E | I'd say loneliness has a lot to do with the way cities are designed. A more plausible explanation is that people are having to move around for work and often end up living miles away from their family and friends |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript describes that how cities are built affects loneliness, and that many people must travel for their jobs, which makes them live far from their loved ones. Answer Explanation: The answer means that both students think two reasons for more loneliness are how cities are built (urban design) and that people move around for work (a mobile workforce). Reason For Correctness: The correct answer includes urban design and a mobile workforce because Tamara mentions that loneliness has a lot to do with the way cities are designed and also points out that people have to move for work, which makes them live far from family and friends. These factors contribute to the lack of community and interaction, leading to increased loneliness. |
| Q23 | — | — | |
| Q24 | A / C | But there's no doubt that loneliness contributes to a weakened immune system. Well, what about that one in Finland, which showed that loneliness increased the risk of cancer by about 10%? And those findings have been supported by other studies too |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that loneliness makes the body's defense system weaker and that in Finland, loneliness raises the chance of getting cancer by about 10%. Other studies also support this information. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the students think two health problems due to loneliness are a weaker immune system and cancer. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A and C because Tamara and Dev have a conversation that supports these points. They mention that loneliness weakens the immune system and reference studies showing that loneliness increases the risk of cancer by about 10%. They talk about how the data on the immune system is reliable, and they share information from studies in Finland that connect loneliness with cancer. |
| Q25 | — | — | |
| Q26 | A / B | There are a few studies which support the theory, but not conclusively enough. More evidence is needed. And anyway, this theory’s not really useful when it comes to solving the problem of loneliness today. |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that there are some studies about the evolutionary theory of loneliness, but they do not give strong proof. It also says that this theory does not help to fix the problem of loneliness now. Answer Explanation: The answer means that both students think the evolutionary theory of loneliness is not very useful and that more studies are needed to understand it better. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A (It has little practical relevance) and B (It needs further investigation) because in the conversation, Tamara and Dev say that while there are some studies about the evolutionary theory, they are not strong enough. They also mention that this theory does not help with the current problem of loneliness, showing that they believe it needs more research and is not very useful. |
| Q27 | A | There's no available diagnosis or effective treatment and that's not likely to change | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that loneliness is different from depression because there is no medical way to diagnose or treat loneliness. This means the students think there won't be a cure for loneliness. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the students think loneliness will not have a medical cure in the future. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because Tamara mentions that, unlike depression, loneliness does not have a recognized clinical form, which suggests that there is no available diagnosis or effective treatment for loneliness. This indicates that they doubt a medical cure for loneliness will be found. |
| Q28 | B | Good idea. Everyone will be able to relate to that although a lot of students were probably too embarrassed to admit to it. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that Tamara thinks starting their presentation with a personal example is a good idea. She believes that other students will understand and connect with her experience. However, she also recognizes that many students might feel shy to talk about loneliness. Answer Explanation: The answer means that by using a personal experience, they can highlight a situation that many students have likely faced, making it easier for the audience to connect with what they are saying. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because Tamara mentions that everyone will be able to relate to her personal experience of loneliness. This indicates that the example will be familiar to many students, making it easier for them to understand and connect with the topic of loneliness. |
| Q29 | A | but it must make people feel more connected with their community. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Tamara and Dev talking about how talking to strangers can help people feel less lonely. Tamara thinks that when people talk to strangers, it can help them feel like they are part of their community. Answer Explanation: The answer says that it creates a sense of belonging, which means that by talking to strangers, people can feel like they are included and connected with others. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because in the transcript, Tamara suggests that talking to strangers makes people feel more connected to their community. This connection helps create a sense of belonging, which can help reduce loneliness. |
| Q30 | C | It's strange the way some people can't stand being by themselves while others love it | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that some people really don't like being alone, while others enjoy it. This shows that there are different opinions about being alone. Answer Explanation: The answer says that solitude, or being alone, can be an enjoyable experience for some people. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the conversation highlights that some individuals enjoy solitude, while others do not. This difference in feeling suggests that solitude is not always seen the same way by everyone, making it an enjoyable experience for some. |
Transcript
TAMARA Shall we go through the notes we’ve made from our research into loneliness now, Dev?
DEV OK, Tamara. It’s been a real eye-opener. I had no idea that loneliness has been increasing steadily for the last 20 years.
TAMARA I know. And it’s the same all over the world. The downside of a modern lifestyle, I guess.
DEV Did you come to any conclusions about what the reasons for the increase are?
TAMARA Well, I’d assumed it was mainly an issue for the elderly, but in fact it’s something which affects young people just as much.
DEV So nothing really to do with longer lifespans. What about social media? In my case, far from
making me feel isolated, it actually does the opposite. it?
TAMARA It definitely does more good than harm. I’d say loneliness has a lot to do with the way cities are designed. People living in high flats with not much opportunity to speak to their neighbours
DEV I think you right
TAMARA Another possible reason is that people are having fewer children and don live in large extended family groups.
DEV But in this country anyway, that all changed decades ago. And yet loneliness is a more recent problem.
TAMARA I suppose so. A more plausible explanation is that people are having to move around for work and often end up living miles away from their family and friends.
DEV That’s true.
TAMARA Looking at the studies on health risks and loneliness, there are claims that loneliness has as much impact as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
DEV Or similar to the risks caused by obesity. But I’m not sure there’s enough evidence for some of these claims.
TAMARA Well, what about that one in Finland, which showed that loneliness increased the risk of cancer by about 10%? And those findings have been supported by other studies too.
DEV You’re right about that one. I was actually thinking of the studies on dementia. Some found no association between loneliness and dementia, and others found the opposite.
TAMARA Not exactly reliable, then. There’s been a lot of research on cardiovascular disease and whether loneliness contributes to that.
DEV Yes, I read that it was hard to reach a judgment, as the definition of loneliness varied quite a lot, and the responses from participants were too subjective. But there’s no doubt that loneliness contributes to a weakened immune system.
TAMARA Unquestionably. The data on that is sound.
DEV What did you think about the evolutionary theory of loneliness?
TAMARA Well I thought the idea that loneliness evolved because it motivated people to be with other people is quite convincing. Survival often depended on group cooperation.
DEV But I don't think there is enough evidence to claim that there must be a group of neurons in our brains which influence social behaviour by making us feel bad when we’re alone.
TAMARA There are a few studies which support the theory, but not conclusively enough. More evidence is needed.
DEV And anyway, this theory’s not really useful when it comes to solving the problem of loneliness today.
TAMARA True.
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DEV Should we look at the relationship between loneliness and mental health now?
TAMARA OK. So, loneliness and depression are clearly related and that’s been recognised by various governments around the world. But unlike depression, loneliness has no recognised clinical form.
DEV There’s no available diagnosis or effective treatment and that’s not likely to change.
TAMARA I don’t think so either I was thinking we should start our presentation with an example from our own experience. I like to talk about how lonely I was when I started university being away from home for the first time and all that
DEV Good idea. Everyone will be able to relate to that although a lot of students were probably too embarrassed to admit to it.
TAMARA Yeah. We could discuss ways of dealing with loneliness as well, like just talking to strangers.
DEV Loads of studies have shown that interactions with shop assistants and bar staff make people feel more optimistic and relaxed.
TAMARA I don’t know about that, but it must make people feel more connected with their community.
DEV True, although you need to be a certain kind of person to be able to just strike up a conversation.
TAMARA Good point. We should say something about solitude and how being alone and being lonely aren’t the same thing. It’s strange the way some people can’t stand being by themselves while others love it.
DEV Yeah, the research shows a certain amount of solitude is beneficial for wellbeing, which I appreciate, but being alone isn’t something I actually like. I’d never choose to go on holiday alone, for example.
TAMARA Me neither.
DEV Well, let’s not…