Scandinavian Studies - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 12 Academic Listening Test 2 · Part 3 · Questions 21–30
Audio
Questions
Questions 21–25 Multiple Choice (One Answer)
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Scandinavian Studies
Questions 26–30 Flow Chart Completion
Complete the flow-chart below.
Choose FIVE answers from the box and write the correct letter, A-G, next to Questions
A bullet points
B film
C notes
D structure
E student paper
F textbook
G documentary
How James will write his paper on the Vikings
He’ll read a 26 and choose his topic.
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He’ll borrow a 27 from Beth.
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He’ll plan the 28 of the paper.
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He’ll read some source material and write 29.
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He’ll write the paper using 30.
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He’ll write the complete paper.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q21 | C | Well, my mother is Danish, and although we always lived in England, she used to talk about her home a lot, and that made me want to visit Denmark. We hardly ever did, though – my mother usually went on her own. But whenever her relations or friends were in England they always came to see us. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript talks about how James's mother is Danish, and even though he lived in England, she often spoke about her Danish roots, which made James curious about Denmark. Despite not visiting Denmark often, whenever Danish people, like his mother's relatives or friends, were in England, they would come to visit James's family. Answer Explanation: The answer indicates that a number of Danish people visited James's family, which aligns with the part of the transcript where it mentions how his mother's relations and friends from Denmark came to visit them in England. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is indeed 'C' because the excerpt clearly describes how Danish people, like James's mother's friends and relations, visited them in England, reinforcing his connection to Denmark and his interest in Scandinavian Studies. |
| Q22 | B | I’m interested in journalism, and I quite like the idea of moving to Scandinavia and writing for magazines. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript describes James being interested in journalism and wanting to write for magazines in Scandinavia. Answer Explanation: The answer indicates that James would like to work in the media. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'B' because working in the media aligns with James' interest in journalism and desire to write for magazines, which are part of the media industry. |
| Q23 | C | That’ll continue next term, but the one on Scandinavian literature that’s running at the moment will be replaced by more specialised courses. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript mentions that the course on Scandinavian literature, which is currently running, will be replaced by more specialized courses. Answer Explanation: The answer chosen indicates that the Scandinavian literature course is the one that will end this term. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'C' (Scandinavian literature) because the excerpt clearly states that the course 'running at the moment' will be replaced, implying that this course will end this term. |
| Q24 | A | You might find modern novels or 19th century playwrights interesting. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript suggests that James might be interested in either modern novels or 19th-century playwrights for his literature paper this term. Answer Explanation: The answer indicates that James's literature paper this term will be on 19th-century playwrights. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A (19th century playwrights) because the excerpt specifically mentions 19th-century playwrights as a potential topic for James's literature paper, aligning with the answer choice A. |
| Q25 | C | I think you first need to get an understanding of the literature in the context of the society in which it was produced – who it was written for, how it was published, and so on | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript suggests that in order to understand the literature well, one should first look at the society in which it was created - such as who the literature was intended for and how it was made available to the public. Answer Explanation: The answer suggests that James's paper should focus on studying the social background related to the literature. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer aligns with the excerpt because it emphasizes the importance of exploring the societal context in which the literature was produced. By understanding the social background, James can gain insights into how the literature was shaped, distributed, and received within that specific societal framework. |
| Q26 | E | what I suggest is that you read an assignment a student wrote last year | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript suggests that it would be helpful for James to read a paper written by another student in the past. Answer Explanation: The answer means that James will read a student paper as part of his process in writing his own paper. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'E' because it aligns with the suggestion in the excerpt that James should read a student paper as part of his preparation for writing his own paper on the Vikings. |
| Q27 | G | But I’ve got a recording of a documentary that you should watch. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript mentions that someone has a recording of a documentary about the Vikings. This means that James can watch this documentary to help him learn about the topic for his paper. Answer Explanation: The answer 'G' refers to a documentary, which is a type of film that presents factual information about a subject. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'G' because James will borrow a documentary from Beth to use as a source of information for his paper on the Vikings. |
| Q28 | D | So then should I work out an outline? | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript suggests the person is considering whether they should create a plan or structure, like an outline, for their paper. Answer Explanation: The answer refers to creating a structure, which in this context means working out an outline for organizing the paper. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'D' because the person in the excerpt is contemplating whether they should make an outline or structure for their paper, indicating the need for planning and organization in writing. |
| Q29 | C | Yes. Just headings for different sections, at this stage. And then you should start looking for suitable articles and books to draw on, and take notes | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript suggests that James should create headings for different sections of his paper and then start searching for appropriate articles and books to reference, all while taking notes. Answer Explanation: The answer 'C' represents 'notes,' which refers to the important task of taking notes from various sources to gather information for James' paper. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'C' because James will need to take notes from the articles and books he reads to gather information for his paper, as indicated in the excerpt. Taking notes helps organize and retain key points for later use in writing his paper. |
| Q30 | A | Then put short phrases and sentences as bullet points under each heading | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript is telling James to list short phrases and sentences under each heading on his topic. Answer Explanation: The answer is telling James to use bullet points for organizing his information. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'A' because bullet points are a clear and concise way to organize information under each heading, making it easier for James to structure his paper effectively. |
Transcript
BETH: Oh good morning. You must be James. I’m Beth Cartwright – please call be Beth.
JAMES: Thank you.
BETH: Now as this is your first tutorial since you started on the Scandinavian Studies course, I’d like to find out something about you. Why did you decide to take this course?
JAMES: Well, my mother is Danish, and although we always lived in England, she used to talk about her home a lot, and that made me want to visit Denmark. We hardly ever did, though – my mother usually went on her own. But whenever her relations or friends were in England they always came to see us.
BETH: I see. So I assume you already speak Danish, one of the languages you’ll be studying.
JAMES: I can get by when I talk to people, though I’m not terribly accurate.
BETH: Now you probably know that you’ll spend the third year of the course abroad. Have you had any thoughts about that?
JAMES: I’m really looking forward to it. And although Denmark seems the obvious place to go, because of my family connections, I’d love to spend the time in Iceland.
BETH: Oh, I’m sure it can be arranged. Do you have any plans for when you graduate? A lot of students go on to take a master’s degree.
JAMES: I think the four years of the undergraduate course will be enough for me. I’m interested in journalism, and I quite like the idea of moving to Scandinavia and writing for magazines. I’d find that more creative than translating, which I suppose most graduates do.
BETH: OK. Now how are you finding the courses you’re taking this term, James?
JAMES: Well, I’m really enjoying the one on Swedish cinema.
BETH: That’ll continue next term, but the one on Scandinavian literature that’s running at the moment will be replaced by more specialised courses. Oh, and by the way, if you’re interested in watching Danish television programmes – there’s going to be a course on that the term after next.
JAMES: That sounds good.
BETH: Have you started thinking about the literature paper that you have to write in the next few weeks?
JAMES: Yes, my first choice would be to do something on the Icelandic sagas.
BETH: Hmm. The trouble with that is that a lot of people choose that topic, and it can be difficult to get hold of the books you’ll need. Why not leave that for another time?
JAMES: Right.
BETH: You might find modern novels or 19th century playwrights interesting.
JAMES: I’ve read or seen several plays in translation, so that would be a good idea.
BETH: Fine. I’ll put you down for that topic.
JAMES: Right. So what would you advise me to aim at in the paper?
BETH: First I suggest you avoid taking one writer and going into a great deal of detail. That approach certainly has its place, but I think you first need to get an understanding of the literature in the context of the society in which it was produced – who it was written for, how it was published, and so on. I also think that’s more fruitful than placing it within the history of the genre.
JAMES: OK, that sounds reasonable.
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JAMES: Could I ask for some advice about writing the paper I’m working on about the Vikings? I have to do that this week, and I’m a bit stuck.
BETH: Of course. Have you decided yet what to write about?
JAMES: No, I haven’t. There’s so much that seems interesting – Viking settlement in other countries, trade, mythology …
BETH: Well, what I suggest is that you read an assignment a student wrote last year, which is kept in the library. It’s short and well focused, and I’m sure you’ll find it helpful. I’ll give you the details in a moment. Textbooks usually cover so many topics, it can be very difficult to choose just one.
JAMES: OK. I’ve got a DVD of the film about the Vikings that came out earlier this year. Should I watch that again?
BETH: If it’s the one I am thinking of, hmm, I’d ignore it – it’s more fantasy than reality. But I’ve got a recording of a documentary that you should watch. It makes some interesting and provocative points, which I think will help you to focus your topic.
JAMES: Right.
BETH: So then should I work out an outline?
JAMES: Yes. Just headings for different sections, at this stage. And then you should start looking for suitable articles and books to draw on, and take notes which you organise according to those headings.
BETH: I see.
JAMES: Then put short phrases and sentences as bullet points under each heading. Make sure that this skeleton makes sense and flows properly, before writing up the paper in full.
BETH: OK. Thanks, that’s very helpful.