Self-Access Centre - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Collins Practice Tests For IELTS 1 Academic Listening Test 2 · Part 2 · Questions 11–20
Audio
Questions
Questions 11–16 Multiple Choice (One Answer)
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Questions 17–20 Sentence Completion
Complete the sentences below.
Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
- Students can purchase a 17 from the help desk.
- The graded readers can be borrowed for a maximum of 18.
- The centre opens at 8.30 and closes at 19, Monday to Friday.
- On occasion the room is 20 by a teacher and might not be available.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q11 | C | This room's very popular with students and can get quite busy. When it's quiet you can come here as often as you want but if there's a lot of demand, such as coming up to exam time, we have to limit sessions to make sure everyone gets a chance to use the resources | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the room is often full of people. It says that when many students need to study for exams, the school has to restrict how long each student can stay so that everyone can use the books and computers. Answer Explanation: The answer means that many students use the study room when they have to take tests soon. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the text mentions that the self-access centre is a popular place that can get very crowded. The tutor explains that during "exam time," there is a lot of "demand," which means many students want to use the resources at once. This confirms that the room gets busy during the period when students are preparing for tests. |
| Q12 | A | Over there against the wall we have a row of Internet-connected computers. As you can imagine these get taken very quickly with students wanting to check their email, Facebook, that kind of thing. Because of the demand we ask students to try and stick to about 30 minutes maximum | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that the internet computers are busy because students use them for social media and email. Because everyone wants to use them, there is a time limit of 30 minutes. Answer Explanation: The answer means that students should only use the computers with internet for a limit of 30 minutes. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the teacher mentions that many students want to use these computers for personal tasks like checking email and Facebook. Due to this high demand, students are asked to 'stick to about 30 minutes maximum'. In English, '30 minutes' is exactly the same as 'half an hour'. Therefore, students should not use them for more than that amount of time. |
| Q13 | C | You should have created these already during your induction | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that the students made their own login details during their first training meeting, which is called an induction. Answer Explanation: The answer explains that the students were the ones who made their own usernames and passwords. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the tutor says, "You should have created these already." In this sentence, "you" means the students. This tells us that the students were the ones who made (created) the information. Choice B is not correct because it says the information was "issued" (given to them), but the tutor says the students "created" it themselves. |
| Q14 | B | There are usually two members of staff available to help you and these will often be teachers so if you have any language questions that's where you can go | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the people working at the help desk are often teachers, so students should go to that desk if they need help with the language they are studying. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the help desk is a place where students can get help with things related to the English language. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the transcript mentions that the staff at the help desk are usually teachers. Because they are teachers, students are encouraged to go there if they have any 'language questions'. This means the desk provides support or help with learning the language. |
| Q15 | B | There are usually two members of staff available to help you and these will often be teachers We are allowed to make photocopies of one or two pages so if there's an exercise you need a copy of ask the staff to help |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the people working as staff are usually teachers. It also says that students should ask these staff members if they need to copy a page from a book. Answer Explanation: The answer means that teachers (who are also the staff members) are the people who make copies of the books for the students. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the tutor says that students are allowed to get photocopies of one or two pages from the reference books. To get these copies, students are told to 'ask the staff to help.' Since the tutor mentioned earlier that the staff at the help desk are usually teachers, it means the teachers are the ones who do the photocopying for the students. The keywords 'staff' and 'teachers' are used interchangeably here regarding who provides assistance. |
| Q16 | C | Now these computers on the oval table here, they're our high-spec PCs. You'll find programmes to help you with your English but also opportunities to practise other languages such as Spanish, Chinese, German; several languages in fact. Some of them require a CD-ROM You can collect them from the help desk. By the way, there's no Internet connection on these computers nor any office software for the time being. If you want to do any word processing you'll need to use one of the laptops we keep for this purpose |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the high-spec PCs are for language programs and highlights that some need a CD-ROM. It also mentions that they do not have internet or software for word processing, so you must use a laptop for those tasks instead. Answer Explanation: The answer means that these special computers might need a CD-ROM (a disc) to run certain programs. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the tutor says that some programs on these computers 'require a CD-ROM.' The transcript also shows that Choice A is wrong because there is 'no Internet connection' on these PCs, and Choice B is wrong because there is no 'office software' for 'word processing' (writing) on them. |
| Q17 | set of headphones / pair of headphones | If you want to use this resource see a member of staff to buy a set of headphones | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that students should talk to a staff member to pay for headphones if they want to use the listening labs. Answer Explanation: The answer refers to a piece of equipment that you wear over your ears to listen to audio without others hearing it. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is based on the tutor's instruction regarding listening practice. The tutor explains that if students want to use the language labs for extra listening practice, they need to buy a 'set of headphones' from the staff. In English, 'purchase' means the same as 'buy', and the 'help desk' is the location where the members of staff are found. |
| Q18 | 14 days / 2 weeks | Unlike the reference books you can take these readers home and keep them for up to 14 days | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that while some books must stay in the center, these specific reading books can be taken home by students for a maximum of 14 days. Answer Explanation: The answer means that students are allowed to borrow the simplified storybooks, known as readers, for as long as 14 days or two weeks. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 14 days because the tutor explains that students can take the special reading books home. The tutor says these 'readers' can be kept for a certain amount of time. The phrase 'keep them for up to 14 days' tells us the maximum time allowed for borrowing them. In English, 14 days is the same as 2 weeks. |
| Q19 | 5.30 / 5:30 | The centre is open from 8.30 till 5.30 during the week so, as your classes start at 9.00, those of you who get here early can use the resource before your lesson | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that on weekdays, the center is open starting at 8.30 and it finishes being open at 5.30. Answer Explanation: The answer 5.30 is the time in the late afternoon when the center closes for the day. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 5.30 because the tutor explains that from Monday to Friday (referred to as "during the week"), the center's operating hours are from 8.30 in the morning until 5.30 in the evening. |
| Q20 | booked / reserved | Although it's open all day long, it's booked by a tutor for their class now and again so you might not be able to gain access if you have any free time during the day | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the room is generally open, but sometimes a teacher takes it for a class. During those times, others might not be allowed to go in. Answer Explanation: The answer means that at certain times, a teacher might save the room to use it for their own class, so other students cannot enter. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is correct because the speaker mentions that a tutor—which is another word for teacher—may use the room for their students sometimes. When a room is scheduled for a specific group like this, it is 'booked' or 'reserved.' This usually happens 'now and again,' meaning it only happens occasionally. |
Transcript
Tutor: OK, so here we are on the first floor. The self-access centre is just along here on the left. This room's very popular with students and can get quite busy. When it's quiet you can come here as often as you want but if there's a lot of demand, such as coming up to exam time, we have to limit sessions to make sure everyone gets a chance to use the resources.
If you'd like to follow me in. So, here we are. As you can see, it's a lovely bright room with lots of resources to help you with your English studies. Over there against the wall we have a row of Internet-connected computers. As you can imagine these get taken very quickly with students wanting to check their email, Facebook, that kind of thing. Because of the demand we ask students to try and stick to about 30 minutes maximum.
You'll need to log in with your username and password. You should have created these already during your induction. Please do not share your details with anyone else and please make sure you read our policy on using the Internet.
I mentioned the help desk earlier and that's it over there just past the computers in the corner. There are usually two members of staff available to help you and these will often be teachers so if you have any language questions that's where you can go.
Now, over there you can see the reference section. You'll find dictionaries, exam practice tests, vocabulary and grammar books. I should point out that these books are for reference only and we don't offer a loan service. We are allowed to make photocopies of one or two pages so if there's an exercise you need a copy of ask the staff to help.
Now these computers on the oval table here, they're our high-spec PCs. You'll find programmes to help you with your English but also opportunities to practise other languages such as Spanish, Chinese, German; several languages in fact. Some of them require a CD-ROM ... You can collect them from the help desk. By the way, there's no Internet connection on these computers nor any office software for the time being. If you want to do any word processing you'll need to use one of the laptops we keep for this purpose. Again, see the staff if you need one of these.
Some of you were asking earlier about extra listening practice and these small rooms here are dedicated language labs. If you want to use this resource see a member of staff to buy a set of headphones. And finally here on the left we have two stands with our large collection of readers. These are simplified novels by well-known British authors like Charlotte Brontë, Charles Dickens and Shakespeare. The books are graded and you'll find lots that will be appropriate to your level. Unlike the reference books you can take these readers home and keep them for up to 14 days.
I think that's everything. The centre is open from 8.30 till 5.30 during the week so, as your classes start at 9.00, those of you who get here early can use the resource before your lesson. Although it's open all day long, it's booked by a tutor for their class now and again so you might not be able to gain access if you have any free time during the day. It's best to ask the tutor concerned if it's okay to pop in. Oh, and it's open on Saturday as well, just for a few hours, from 10.00 till 1.00.