Short Film Competition - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From IELTS Trainer 2 Academic Listening Test 3 · Part 1 · Questions 1–10
Audio
Questions
Questions 1–10 Note Completion
Complete the notes below.
Write ONE WORD AND / OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Short Film Competition
Rules
- The film must be
Example answer
no more than 20 minutes long.
submitted before Wednesday, 1 .
- Don’t use any 2 with experience.
- For the film, it’s necessary to
include a child or 3 this year.
get permission for any 4 used.
check that English 5 contain no mistakes.
Advice
- Focus on the 6 before doing anything else.
- Stick to a few characters and locations.
- Avoid making a 7 because not all the judges will like it.
Last year’s competition
- The winner was Greg 8
- The title of Greg’s film was 9
Prizes
- Winners receive between $500 and $2000.
- The best films are shown in the 10 Theatre.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 15th May / 15 May / May 15th / May 15 | All right, so the deadline for getting the whole film made and sending it in to us is on Wednesday May the 15th | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that the final date for people to finish their films and send them to the competition is Wednesday, May 15th. Answer Explanation: The answer is the date when the film must be finished and sent to the competition organizers. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is based on the woman's statement about the competition rules. She uses the word 'deadline' for 'sending it in,' which means the same as 'submitted.' She clearly states that this day is 'Wednesday May the 15th.' The man mentions his confusion with the end of June, but she clarifies that June 30th is when the winners are announced, not the submission date. |
| Q2 | actors | That's fine, but you can't employ any professional actors, I'm afraid. They all need to be new to acting – having a go for the first time | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that the competition rule forbids hiring expert actors. Instead, the people in the film must be trying acting for the first time. Answer Explanation: The answer is "actors". These are people who play parts in a movie or play. The rule says you cannot hire people who have done this job before. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "actors" because the woman states that professional actors are not allowed in the competition. She mentions that everyone must be "new to acting," which is another way of saying they have no previous experience. Keywords to notice are "professional" (meaning experienced) and "new to acting" (meaning no experience). |
| Q3 | animal | Well, it's been decided that one of your main characters has to be a child. Or, if you prefer, it could be an animal instead – but we have to see them in a number of scenes, OK | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that the person making the film must choose between having a child or an animal as one of the important characters who appears many times. Answer Explanation: The answer "animal" refers to a living creature that is not a human, which the filmmaker can choose to feature in their movie instead of a child. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "animal" because the woman explains the specific requirements for what must be in the film this year. She states that one of the main characters must be either a child or an animal, and they must appear in several scenes. |
| Q4 | music | You might also need to get permission – say, for example – if you decided you wanted to add some music to the film | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that if a person wants to put music into their film, they must first get permission to use it legally. Answer Explanation: The answer is music, which consists of songs or sounds played by instruments or singers. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is music because the woman tells the man that a filmmaker might need to get legal permission (official approval) if they decide to include songs or sounds in their project. In the transcript, she uses the word 'permission' directly before mentioning 'music' as an example of something that requires it. |
| Q5 | subtitles | But if you're going to use another language, you've got to provide subtitles. And those do have to be in English, and 100% accurate. If they're not, your film won't be accepted in the competition | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that if the filmmaker uses a language that is not English, they must add subtitles. These subtitles must be written in English and be completely correct (100% accurate). Answer Explanation: The answer is 'subtitles,' which are the written words at the bottom of a movie screen that show what the characters are saying. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'subtitles' because the competition allows films to be in other languages, but they must have English text at the bottom. The woman says these must be '100% accurate,' which means they should not have any errors or 'mistakes.' Key synonyms to notice here are 'accurate' for 'contain no mistakes.' |
| Q6 | script | Of course. Um, in my opinion, it's the script that you should concentrate on. That comes first. Work out what everyone's going to say, and go from there | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that the woman believes the filmmaker should focus all their attention on the written story (the script) before starting any other part of the project. Answer Explanation: The answer is the written text for a film that includes what the characters say and what they do. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'script' because the woman giving advice says that it is the part the filmmaker should 'concentrate on' first. In the conversation, 'concentrate on' is a synonym for 'focus on', and saying it 'comes first' matches the requirement to do it 'before doing anything else'. |
| Q7 | comedy | I guess I shouldn't do a comedy because not everyone laughs at the same thing.Woman: Yes, stay away from that kind of film | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the man deciding not to make a funny movie because he knows that humor is personal and not everyone will laugh at the same jokes. The woman confirms this advice by telling him to "stay away" from that genre. Answer Explanation: The answer "comedy" means a film that is funny and is intended to make the audience laugh. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "comedy" because the man mentions he should probably not make this style of film. He believes that people's tastes in humor vary, so a funny movie might not appeal to everyone. The woman supports this by saying he should "stay away from" it. In the notes, the phrase "stay away from" is used as a synonym for "avoid," indicating that he should not make a "comedy" for the competition. |
| Q8 | Hyslop | His name was Greg Hyslop.Man: How do you spell that last name?Woman: Sure. It's H-Y-S-L-O-P | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the woman giving the full name of the previous year's winner and then spelling the last name for the man. Answer Explanation: The answer is the last name of the person who won the short film contest last year. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is Hyslop because the woman tells the man to look at the work of last year's winner, a man named Greg Hyslop. To make sure the man has the correct spelling for his notes, she spells the name out loud letter by letter: H-Y-S-L-O-P. |
| Q9 | Imagine | Woman: That's right. If you want to have another look, the film is called Imagine. It really holds your attention | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the woman clearly stating that the name of the award-winning movie is "Imagine" and that it is very good to watch. Answer Explanation: The answer "Imagine" is the name of the short movie that won the competition last year. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "Imagine" because the woman confirms the name of Greg Hyslop's movie. She mentions that Greg was last year's winner and tells the man the title of his film so that he can find it and watch it for ideas. |
| Q10 | Bridge | Man: That would be an amazing thing to happen. So that would be the Bridge Theatre, would it, in the city centre?Woman: Yes | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the man asking for the specific name of the theatre where the films are shown. He asks if it is the 'Bridge Theatre,' and the woman confirms that he is correct by saying 'Yes.' Answer Explanation: The answer is the name of the building where the best competition films are played for people to watch. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is Bridge because when the man asks if the films will be shown at the Bridge Theatre in the middle of the city, the woman says 'Yes.' This confirms the name of the theatre where the public can see the winning movies. |
Transcript
Man: Oh hello, is this the right number to call for the short film competition?
Woman: Yes. How can I help?
Man: I know the competition's been running for ten years, but I've never taken part before. I want to be clear on the rules. Is 20 minutes the maximum length of the film?
Woman: That's correct. So, shall I run through some of the other rules for entry?
Man: That'd be great. I'll make some notes.
Woman: All right, so the deadline for getting the whole film made and sending it in to us is on Wednesday May the 15th.
Man: Oh really? I thought the submission date was some time at the end of June. The 30th.
Woman: That's when the judges announce the winners.
Man: Right, I guess I don't have as much time to make this film as I thought.
Woman: Now, just so it's clear, one of the rules is about the team of people you have working with you. Will you be doing most of the filming yourself?
Man: Probably yes.
Woman: OK, but perhaps you'll be needing some technical support with editing, and the audio?
Man: I imagine so.
Woman: That's fine, but you can't employ any professional actors, I'm afraid. They all need to be new to acting – having a go for the first time.
Man: I see. Not a problem. Now I know that one of the rules is about the things you need to include in your film.
Woman: That's right. Last year all films had to include a scene with a broken pair of glasses.
Man: What about this year?
Woman: Well, it's been decided that one of your main characters has to be a child. Or, if you prefer, it could be an animal instead – but we have to see them in a number of scenes, OK?
Man: All right. I'll have a think about that. I'm not sure which one would be easier to work with.
Woman: It can certainly be a challenge – but that's what the competition is all about. Now, it's not just our rules you need to think about. You might also need to get permission – say, for example – if you decided you wanted to add some music to the film.
Man: That sounds complicated. I suppose I could use a local band – people I know that would help out. I wouldn't need permission in that case.
Woman: Good idea. Then you don't need to worry about the legal side of things.
Man: All right. That's clearer. Actually, is that right that the film doesn't need to be in English?
Woman: Yes. Because if a film wins the competition in this country, it could end up being part of an international competition. But if you're going to use another language, you've got to provide subtitles. And those do have to be in English, and 100% accurate. If they're not, your film won't be accepted in the competition.
Man: Seems fair.
Man: I don't suppose you could give me any advice – about making the film, I mean.
Woman: Of course. Um, in my opinion, it's the script that you should concentrate on. That comes first. Work out what everyone's going to say, and go from there.
Man: OK, thanks for that. And I read somewhere that you shouldn't have too many characters or locations.
Woman: Yeah, I'd agree with that.
Man: I also read that – with short films, the judges have their preferences. I mean, they seem to like films with a serious message, like a documentary. I guess I shouldn't do a comedy because not everyone laughs at the same thing.
Woman: Yes, stay away from that kind of film. A story with a clear beginning, middle and end – that's what the judges look for.
Man: I was thinking I could look at some of the films from last year's competition – you know – to give me a better idea of what to do.
Woman: Yes, you could certainly do that. If you go to our website, have a look at last year's winner. His name was Greg Hyslop.
Man: How do you spell that last name?
Woman: Sure. It's H-Y-S-L-O-P. His film was actually one of the shorter ones, but the judges really liked it.
Man: Actually, I'm wondering if I've seen that one already. Isn't it about an artist – someone who no one appreciates but then she ends up selling lots of her paintings?
Woman: That's right. If you want to have another look, the film is called Imagine. It really holds your attention.
Man: Thanks. I'll have another look after this call.
Woman: So, you know what the prizes are? It's $500 for third place, up to $2000 for the overall winner. And of course, the winning films are shown in a theatre, so the public can see them too.
Man: That would be an amazing thing to happen. So that would be the Bridge Theatre, would it, in the city centre?
Woman: Yes. That's my favourite theatre, actually. Lovely view of the river. So, do you have any more... .