Returning Students Advisor - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From IELTS Recent Actual Test 1 Academic Listening Test 4 · Part 3 · Questions 21–30
Audio
Questions
Questions 21–30 Multiple Choice (One Answer)
Choose the correct letter, A, B, or C.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q21 | B | Let me see, it looks like you've taken a long break from school, and I understand you wanted to have a chat about what you should study if and when you return for further classes | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the teacher, Dr. Lindsey, telling Frank that she knows he wants to talk with her about which subjects he should learn when he comes back to university. Answer Explanation: The answer means the man wants to speak or have a conversation with the advisor. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because Dr. Lindsey says she understands Frank wants to "have a chat." In English, to have a chat is a synonym for having a talk. Frank has an appointment to discuss his future studies and get advice, which involves talking together. |
| Q22 | A | In the schools I taught, I found today's youngsters are very sure of themselves. In terms of intelligence, I have a lot to teach them. And the maturity level of much of my class leaves something to be desired. But in terms of confidence, wow! A lot more confident than I am now, that's for sure | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Frank saying that the children he teaches are very sure of themselves and 'a lot more confident' than he is, even though he thinks they are not very mature. Answer Explanation: The answer means that Frank believes young children today have a lot of self-belief and are not afraid to express themselves. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because Frank specifically uses the words 'sure of themselves' and 'confident' to describe the children he teaches. He compares his own fear and shyness to their high level of confidence. While he mentions 'intelligence' and 'maturity,' he says the children still have much to learn from him and are not very mature ('leaves something to be desired'), making 'Confident' the only positive attribute he clearly assigns to them. |
| Q23 | C | You see, I've been teaching children for a few years, but I think I'd be happier teaching adults | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Frank says he has already been a teacher for young children for a while, but he believes he would be more satisfied or happy if he taught adults instead. Answer Explanation: The answer shows that Frank wants to teach grown-ups (adults). Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is Adults because Frank mentions that although he has experience teaching kids, he believes he would find more happiness in teaching older people. He and the advisor also discuss his dreams of teaching this specific age group later in their conversation. The transcript uses the palabra 'adults' to contrast with the 'children' he currently teaches. |
| Q24 | A | Fairly often now I run into former students and we talk | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that Frank often sees his past students and they have a conversation together. Answer Explanation: The answer means Frank spoke with his old students when he saw them. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because Frank says that when he meets his old students, they talk to each other. Talking to someone is the same as having a conversation. He uses the words 'run into' to mean encountering or meeting them unexpectedly. |
| Q25 | A | Well, I actually think my confidence is getting better. I'm definitely overcoming my introversion and starting to be much more comfortable in front of a class. To tell the truth, I'm afraid I'm rather behind the times about many things. It's more difficult for me to chase after the popular things youngsters are fond of – such as Iphone, Twitter, if you name it | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Frank explaining that while he is feeling better about his confidence and shyness, his real struggle is being 'behind the times.' This phrase means he is old-fashioned because he does not understand or follow new things that young people enjoy, like the iPhone or Twitter. Answer Explanation: The answer means Frank's main problem is that he is not familiar with modern technology and current trends. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is confirmed when Frank talks about his personal growth. He mentions that his confidence is improving and he is no longer as introverted (shy) as he once was. However, he specifically describes himself as being 'behind the times,' which is a synonym for being old-fashioned. He explains this by saying he has trouble keeping up with modern things like social media and smartphones. |
| Q26 | C | How old are you, 35? People at your age still go back to school for further education. I was a bit the same way | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Dr Lindsey asking Frank if he is 35 and then comparing her own experience to his, meaning she went back to school at that same age. Answer Explanation: The answer means that Dr Lindsey was 35 years old when she began her university studies. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is confirmed when Dr Lindsey asks Frank if he is 35 years old. She tells him that people his age still go to school and then says she was 'a bit the same way,' which means she was also 35 when she studied. Choice B is incorrect because she mentions she did not study until 'after' she had a family, and choice A is incorrect because 'eighteen' refers to the age of other students, not how many years ago she attended. |
| Q27 | C | My first term at school was extremely stressful | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the woman saying that her first period of classes was very hard and filled with pressure. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the woman felt a lot of worry and pressure during her first part of university. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because Dr. Lindsey describes her first time at the university as very difficult. She was looking after a husband and a child while trying to study, which caused her much worry. She uses the word "stressful" to explain that this period was not easy for her. |
| Q28 | B | I'm afraid not. There is nothing interesting about my career or plans. It's really not too impressive | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Frank saying that his job history is not interesting and not very great. This confirms that he thinks his career is boring. Answer Explanation: The answer B means that Frank, the man in the conversation, thinks his work life is not exciting or special. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because Frank explicitly describes his professional path using negative terms. When Dr. Lindsey asks if there is anything unique about him, he replies that there is nothing interesting about his career and that it is not impressive. These words show that he views his career as boring or ordinary rather than special or great. |
| Q29 | C | A lot of people have told me that for practical reasons, it would be more rewarding to choose Business Management as my major, but I made up my mind to study Liberal Arts once I got the idea of going back to school | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that although other people suggested Business Management, Frank personally decided to choose Liberal Arts for his studies. Answer Explanation: The answer means Frank decided to study Liberal Arts when he returned to school. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because Frank says he made a choice to study Liberal Arts. Even though other people told him that Business Management was a better choice for practical reasons, he states that he 'made up his mind' (decided) to study Liberal Arts when he decided to come back to the university. |
| Q30 | B | I doubt you'll be living in student housing, so I won't go into all the improvements there | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that Dr. Lindsey believes Frank will not live in the school's housing for students. Because of this, she decides it is not necessary to talk about the new things or improvements in those buildings. Answer Explanation: The answer means that Frank does not care about or need to know about the changes in the buildings where students live on campus. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because Dr. Lindsey assumes that Frank, who is an older student with a wife, will not live in student housing. Since he won't be staying there, the changes or "improvements" in housing are not relevant to his life. However, other changes like classroom technology and university facilities (like the gym and library) are important to him because he plans to use those services while studying at the school. |
Transcript
FRANK: Hello, are you Dr Lindsey? The Returning Students Advisor?
DR LINDSEY: Yes, that's right. Are you Frank? Your appointment wasn't till 2:00, but that's OK. Please come in and have a seat.
FRANK: Thanks, I like to arrive early whenever I have anything to do.
DR LINDSEY: That's certainly a praiseworthy habit. Let me see, it looks like you've taken a long break from school, and I understand you wanted to have a chat about what you should study if and when you return for further classes.
FRANK: It's such a big challenge. I don't know if I'm crazy for doing this or not!
DR LINDSEY: Believe it or not, I know exactly what you mean. Before I began working here at the university, I taught primary school for nearly ten years. It takes a lot of courage to go back to school!
FRANK: I feel more shy and scared than the primary students I teach! In the schools I taught, I found today's youngsters are very sure of themselves. In terms of intelligence, I have a lot to teach them. And the maturity level of much of my class leaves something to be desired. But in terms of confidence, wow! A lot more confident than I am now, that's for sure!
DR LINDSEY: Stop fretting. "A brave man is a coward who refuses to run." Let's talk about your strong points. You seem an intelligent man. What is it you would like to study?
FRANK: You see, I've been teaching children for a few years, but I think I'd be happier teaching adults.
DR LINDSEY: I think teaching students in middle school is much more satisfying because they end up being much more grateful for your work. If I may ask, what got you interested in teaching adults?
FRANK: A lot of things, I guess. I met my future wife back in my first year of college. She always complains that I was more interesting then. She says that now I talk like I'm seven years old! That's probably from being with children all day.
DR LINDSEY: Ha ha ha! Again I know just what you mean. My husband used to say the same thing about me when I taught kindergarten. Anything else?
FRANK: Well, yes. Fairly often now I run into former students and we talk. Some of them are getting close to being grown up. I guess I think more and more about how people develop over time. So, I'm interested in the results of education, you know, the final stages.
DR LINDSEY: I see. Well, coming back to the university can be both difficult and very rewarding. There are some problems unique to returning students, you know, older students like yourself. What do you think is your greatest weakness?
FRANK: Well, I actually think my confidence is getting better. I'm definitely overcoming my introversion and starting to be much more comfortable in front of a class. To tell the truth, I'm afraid I'm rather behind the times about many things. It's more difficult for me to chase after the popular things youngsters are fond of – such as Iphone, Twitter, if you name it!
DR LINDSEY: I think I understand.
DR LINDSEY: How old are you, 35? People at your age still go back to school for further education. I was a bit the same way. I mean I didn't study at the university till after I had a family: a husband and one child. My point of view was a lot different from your average eighteen-year-old girl's, I can tell you!
FRANK: Gee, that sounds pretty rough. A family and college? Clearly you weren't unsuccessful though!
DR LINDSEY: It was, Frank. It truly was. My first term at school was extremely stressful. But excuse me! You're not here to listen to my life story. We're talking about your plans. Is there anything unique I should know about you or your past experience or plans?
FRANK: I'm afraid not. There is nothing interesting about my career or plans. It's really not too impressive.
DR LINDSEY: Now, I forbid you to talk like that. This is your one life, and if you're not interested, why bother living it? Don't be so humble, Frank.
FRANK: OK, OK. My wife says I'm a wimp.
DR LINDSEY: Let's talk about your dreams a bit. You want to teach adults, you said. What would you like to teach them?
FRANK: Well, when I first came to college, I really liked Languages and Literature. A lot of people have told me that for practical reasons, it would be more rewarding to choose Business Management as my major, but I made up my mind to study Liberal Arts once I got the idea of going back to school.
DR LINDSEY: I must say it's refreshing to meet someone who knows there's more to an education than computers and finance. Let's have a look at the university course catalogue...
FRANK: Excuse me, Dr Lindsey. Before we do that, could I maybe ask you some questions about changes in university life? I think I need to discuss that so I know what to expect.
DR LINDSEY: Of course. I'm here to help you. The biggest thing to get used to is the change in technology. Professors present things on huge screens, many of which are interactive computerised whiteboards. You can write on them still and use them like a touch screen. They're really handy! No more sloppy scribbled notes on the projector. Let's see, I doubt you'll be living in student housing, so I won't go into all the improvements there. Another major change that you'll enjoy is the plethora of resources available for students. As a student, you have 24-hour access to the gym, and library privileges that include the use of school computers to scan, copy, and print, and of course the Media Library, which contains movies from all genres and most of the movies listed on AFI's Top 100 Movies of All Time. The dining facilities are also not what they used to be. They offer choices for all diets, and you can expect a hot meal any time of day.
FRANK: Wow, things really have changed! I'll be sure to utilise all those great facilities in my time here. Thanks for all your help, Dr Lindsey. I think that's all the questions I have for now.