Stephen And Counsellor’s Discussion - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Collins Practice Tests For IELTS 3 Academic Listening Test 1 · Part 3 · Questions 21–30
Audio
Questions
Questions 21–22 Multiple Choice (One Answer)
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Questions 23–25 Multiple Choice (Three Answers)
Choose THREE letters, A-G.
Questions 26–30 Table Completion
Complete the sentences below.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.
| Suggestion | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Calendar | It will provide an 26 of the year.
It will help you remember important dates. |
| Diary. Get one with 27 per day. | Use this to 28 the week. |
| Write a to-do list. | The best time to write in it is 29
Completing the tasks will make you feel 30 |
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q21 | B | Well, I need some advice to help me manage my time better. I've been here for six months now and my friends are having no problem getting down to work and finishing assignments. But I always seem to leave things to the last minute. I try not to do that but it's the same every time. I end up only just being able to get essays in on time. It's really stressing me out | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that Stephen is looking for help to plan his work better. He waits until the very last moment to start his school tasks. While he still finishes his work before the deadline, the lack of a plan makes him feel very stressed. Answer Explanation: The answer means that Stephen has difficulty planning his time and arranging his tasks in a useful way. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because Stephen explains that he has trouble with "time management" and deciding which tasks are most important. This lack of planning is what being unorganized means. We can tell choice A is wrong because Stephen says he is able to get his essays in "on time," even though it is a stressful rush. Choice C is also wrong because he only says his friends start and finish work easily, not that they get better grades or "results." |
| Q22 | A | Especially students who've come straight from school and are used to having everything organised for them by their teachers | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that many students who just arrived from school are accustomed to teachers telling them when and how to do their work. Because of this, they are not used to planning their own time or being responsible for their own study habits. Answer Explanation: The answer means that many university students are not experienced at managing their own schedules or schoolwork on their own. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the counsellor explains that many students who recently finished school have trouble managing their time. This is because their teachers used to organize everything for them in the past. Because they are used to someone else planning their day, they find it hard to take responsibility for their own studies and deadlines when they get to university. |
| Q23 | — | — | |
| Q24 | — | — | |
| Q25 | B / D / G | But I find it difficult to prioritise and I end up doing nothing at all. That's why it's always a bit of a panic with assignment deadlines. I leave things till the last minute and it's always a rush. And lately, the books and materials I need are never in the library because they've all been taken by other students | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that Stephen has trouble choosing which work to do first. Because he waits until the end to do his work, he feels very worried or panicked. Additionally, he cannot get the study books he needs because other students have already taken them from the library. Answer Explanation: The answer identifies that Stephen’s three main problems are feeling worried (anxious) about his schoolwork, being unable to find the library books he needs, and struggling to choose which tasks are most important. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B, D, and G. In the transcript, Stephen describes feeling a 'panic' regarding his assignment deadlines, which matches choice B (getting anxious). He explains that the books he needs are 'never in the library,' which matches choice D (not having access to materials). He also admits he finds it 'difficult to prioritise,' which matches choice G (deciding what is important). While he mentions staying out late (A) or money (E), he says he is not doing those things now. He also explicitly states that he does have 'enough time' (C), contradicting choice C. |
| Q26 | overview | A calendar is perfect for giving you an overview of the year ahead so you won't forget key dates and what you might need to be thinking about longer term | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says a calendar helps a person see the entire year at once so they can plan for the future and remember important days. Answer Explanation: The answer "overview" means a general summary or a complete picture of something. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "overview" because the counsellor explains that using a large wall calendar allows Stephen to see his whole year in one place. This helps him see the "big picture," including important dates and deadlines like presentations or end-of-term dates, so he can plan ahead. This matches the request for the purpose of the calendar in the table. |
| Q27 | one page | If it's one page per day, I could write down how I'm feeling | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Stephen thinking about how a diary with one page for every day would allow him to write down his thoughts and feelings daily. Answer Explanation: The answer refers to having a single page reserved for every day in a diary. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'one page' because Stephen mentions this specific layout when discussing the size and utility of the diary he plans to buy. He suggests that if each day has its own page, he would have enough space to record his daily feelings and activities, which aligns with the counsellor's advice to get a 'big one' with plenty of space. |
| Q28 | structure | I think it's best to use it to structure the week | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that the counsellor thinks the best way to use the diary is to organize (structure) the upcoming seven days. Answer Explanation: The answer 'structure' means to organize or plan something in a helpful way. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'structure' because the counsellor suggests using a diary specifically to plan out the school week. By writing down lectures, seminars, and deadlines, the student can organize their time better and not forget things. The counsellor explicitly uses the word 'structure' when explaining the purpose of the diary for the week. |
| Q29 | Sunday evening | Sit down with it on a Sunday evening and start with all the things you have to do that week | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript suggests using Sunday evening as the specific time to sit down with the diary and write out a plan for all the tasks that need to be finished that week. Answer Explanation: The answer is the day (Sunday) and time (evening) when the student should plan his tasks for the upcoming week. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is Sunday evening because the counselor suggests that this is the best time for Stephen to look at his diary and list all the activities he needs to complete during that week. By doing this planning at the end of the weekend, he can start the new week with a clear structure and avoid forgetting important deadlines or classes. |
| Q30 | in control | Well, you'll get better with practice, and doing this will also give you the sense that you're in control of your life and your studies | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that practicing these new habits will help Stephen feel like he is the person who decides what happens in his life and school work. Answer Explanation: The answer means feeling like you are managing your own life and school work well instead of feeling overwhelmed. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "in control" because the counsellor tells Stephen that practicing the new planning habits will lead to this feeling. Specifically, by using the calendar, diary, and to-do lists to manage his time, he will gain a sense of power over his schedule. Keywords such as "sense" and "give you" help identify the feeling he will experience. |
Transcript
Counsellor: Hiya, Stephen. It's been a while since I last saw you. How are you getting on?
Stephen: Not too bad. Thanks for your help last time. I managed to speak to my tutor as you suggested and solved the problem with timetable clashes. And I also went to see the accommodation officer. She was great and she helped me a lot with the problems I was having with our landlord.
Counsellor: That's good to hear. Well done you for getting things sorted out. So, why did you need to see me?
Stephen: Well, I need some advice to help me manage my time better. I've been here for six months now and my friends are having no problem getting down to work and finishing assignments. But I always seem to leave things to the last minute. I try not to do that but it's the same every time. I end up only just being able to get essays in on time. It's really stressing me out.
Counsellor: Well, that is a problem, but don't be too hard on yourself. A lot of the students I see struggle with time in the same way. Especially students who've come straight from school and are used to having everything organised for them by their teachers. Now, why don't you tell me about a typical day? Maybe we'll be able to identify any habits you have that aren't helping. Then we can see how you can change those habits.
Stephen: Well, during the first few weeks at uni, I was going out every night till late, getting to know people and making new friends. But I'm not doing that too often now. I don't want to spend all my money - that would be another problem! Apart from one or two evenings a week, I tend to be on my own in my room so it's not as if I don't have enough time to study and do my work. But I find it difficult to prioritise and I end up doing nothing at all. That's why it's always a bit of a panic with assignment deadlines. I leave things till the last minute and it's always a rush. And lately, the books and materials I need are never in the library because they've all been taken by other students.
Counsellor: OK, well, look. We've got lots of help sheets here to deal with issues like this. Personally, I think it's best to deal with problems one step at a time rather than setting too many challenges. Let's focus on time management. Do you have one of those big wall calendars? You know, the huge poster calendars with all the days, months, etc. on them?
Stephen: No, but I've seen them on sale in the student shop so I should be able to get one.
Counsellor: Good. While you're there, buy yourself a diary as well, a big one, so you have plenty of space to write in it.
Stephen: OK, so what do I do when I have them?
Counsellor: Well, you tell me. How do you think the calendar might come in useful?
Stephen: I could use that to put in term dates, assignment deadlines, the dates of any presentations I've got to give, that kind of thing.
Counsellor: That's it. A calendar is perfect for giving you an overview of the year ahead so you won't forget key dates and what you might need to be thinking about longer term. Now, what about the diary?
Stephen: I don't know, really. I could put in things I have to do each day. If it's one page per day, I could write down how I'm feeling. That kind of thing.
Counsellor: I think it's best to use it to structure the week. Sit down with it on a Sunday evening and start with all the things you have to do that week. For example, you might write: 'Wednesday, lecture, nine to eleven; Thursday, seminar, twelve o'clock; Friday, first draft of essay'. Do you see what I mean? That'll give you an overview of the week ahead.
Stephen: Yes, I can see how that would help. I tend to keep information like that in my head so it's not surprising things get forgotten.
Counsellor: OK, but you should also write a to-do list. Before you go to bed every night, have a look through the diary for the rest of the week and write a list of things you could try to do the next day to help you with some of those tasks. Don't be over-ambitious and try to do too much. Prioritizes what's important and think about what can wait until the following day or later in the week.
Stephen: Yes, I like that idea. It'll be a good reminder. I just need to decide what things are more important than others.
Counsellor: Well, you'll get better with practice, and doing this will also give you the sense that you're in control of your life and your studies.
Stephen: OK, so let me make sure I've got this. I start with the big picture, the calendar for what's ahead over the weeks and months, then plan my week with the diary, and finally decide what I need to do each day.
Counsellor: Exactly. Do you think you can manage that?
Stephen: Hopefully, yes. It seems pretty straightforward. Thanks for your help.