Steve, David, And Susan’s Courses - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From IELTS Recent Actual Test 6 Academic Listening Test 5 · Part 3 · Questions 21–30
Audio
Questions
Questions 21–26 Table Completion
Complete the table.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.
| Subject | Textbook Used | Criticism of this book |
|---|---|---|
| Social History | 21 | It is 22 |
| Cultural Studies | 23 | It 24 |
| 25 | Government in Action | It is 26 |
Questions 27–30 Matching
Choose the correct letter, S, C, or P.
NB You may use a letter more than once.
S. Social History
C. Cultural Studies
P. Political Theory
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q21 | Welfare State | Susan: I certainly agree with you there, although I would say that the textbook is more interesting. ‘Welfare State’. The subtitle says, ‘An examination of social development in the 20th century.’ | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Susan identifying 'Welfare State' as the textbook used for the course they are discussing. Answer Explanation: The answer is the name of a book called 'Welfare State'. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Welfare State' because, during the conversation about Social History, Susan mentions this title as the book they use for that class. Even though the students find the lectures boring, Susan points out that this specific textbook is interesting. |
| Q22 | too long | I agree. It’s just too long to be easily read. Far too long, although it’s certainly well written in parts | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Steve agreeing that the textbook is difficult to finish because it has too many pages and is too big. Answer Explanation: The answer "too long" means the book has many pages, which makes it hard or takes a lot of time to read. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is based on the conversation about the Social History textbook, titled 'Welfare State'. Steve explicitly critiques the book by saying it is "too long to be easily read." David also points out its length by mentioning it has 458 pages. |
| Q23 | inperspective | David: Yes, and if you compare it to the textbook for Cultural Studies—what’s it called? Susan: ‘Inner Views’, I think. David: No, that’s the book for Media Studies, and we finished that subject last semester. The book you’re thinking of is ‘In Perspective’ | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows a conversation where David asks about the Cultural Studies book and then clarifies that its name is "In Perspective" after Susan makes a mistake. Answer Explanation: The answer "In Perspective" is the title of the textbook used for the Cultural Studies course. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is found when the students discuss the names of their textbooks. David asks for the name of the book used for Cultural Studies. Although Susan initially suggests a book called "Inner Views," David corrects her and states that the book she is thinking of is actually called "In Perspective." |
| Q24 | oversimplifies | Well, mildly so, as is the subject, dealing as it does with such a wide variety of issues, but the book itself certainly oversimplifies a very complex subject | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows David explaining that while the subject of Cultural Studies covers many different topics, the book used for the course makes the subject seem much simpler than it actually is. Answer Explanation: The answer "oversimplifies" means to explain something in a way that is too basic and ignores important details or difficulties. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is identified by looking at the section of the conversation where the students discuss the textbook for Cultural Studies, titled 'In Perspective'. David explicitly states that this book makes a very complicated topic too simple. Steve also agrees with him, saying he was annoyed by how simple the book suggests life is. |
| Q25 | Political Theory | Susan: It’s the textbook for ‘Political Theory’ | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Susan clearly stating that the book they are discussing is used for the subject called Political Theory. Answer Explanation: The answer is the name of a specific school subject that students are studying. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is identified when Susan explains that the textbook called 'Government in Action' belongs to a specific class. When David asks which subject uses that book, Susan confirms it is for 'Political Theory'. |
| Q26 | not relevant | You see, it’s written by Americans, so it’s not even relevant to us here | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Steve explaining that since the textbook was created by authors in America and talks about their system, it does not apply to the students in their own location. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the textbook 'Government in Action' is not useful or applicable to the students because it does not relate to their own country's system. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer 'not relevant' is used by the speakers to describe why the Political Theory textbook is a poor fit for them. Steve and David explain that because the book focuses on the American system, it has nothing to do with their current situation or the type of government used in their own country. Pay attention to the keyword 'relevant,' which describes whether something is connected to or important for a specific situation. |
| Q27 | C | Steve: Cultural Studies is by far the best, even better than Political Theory, which I also like, but just not as much | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Steve clearly stating that he thinks Cultural Studies is the best subject. He compares it to Political Theory and says that while he likes both, Cultural Studies is much better. Answer Explanation: The answer identifies that Steve's preferred subject or the one he believes is the best is Cultural Studies. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is represented by the letter C, which in this categorization refers to Cultural Studies (as indicated by the labels S for Social History, C for Cultural Studies, and P for Political Theory). In the transcript, Steve explicitly states that 'Cultural Studies is by far the best,' ranking it above the other subjects mentioned. He justifies this choice by explaining that the subject is 'relevant to this modern society.' While he mentions that he also likes Political Theory, he makes it clear that he does not like it as much as Cultural Studies. |
| Q28 | S | Even Political Theory examines history only briefly, and in a very narrow way, so I’d say Social History is the most rewarding for me | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows David explaining that because other subjects do not focus enough on history, he considers Social History to be the most satisfying and valuable choice for him. Answer Explanation: The answer is Social History, which is represented by the letter S. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is Social History because David explicitly labels it as the subject that is the 'most rewarding' for him. He explains his preference by highlighting the 'historical element' that he feels other subjects, such as Political Theory, are missing or do not cover well enough. |
| Q29 | P | I think Social History is certainly very good, but Political Theory is, in fact, the best, since basically, every human system boils down to politics | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Susan comparing different subjects and explicitly naming Political Theory as the best one because it covers the foundation of all human systems. Answer Explanation: The answer is Political Theory. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is Political Theory because when asked about her favorite subject, Susan clearly states that she thinks Political Theory is the best one. She believes that every human system is ultimately based on politics, which makes this subject very important to her, even if some of the learning materials are not perfect. Keywords to notice are "best" and "favourite." |
| Q30 | P | I’m very interested in culture, so Cultural Studies is certainly my cup of tea, but I’m politically active also, and hope to pursue this as a career, so Political Theory would be the one I’d pick | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that Olive likes culture, but because she wants a job in politics, she says Political Theory is the subject she would choose. Answer Explanation: The answer P stands for Political Theory, the subject that Olive chooses as her favorite or top choice. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is Political Theory (P) because Olive explicitly states that it is the subject she would pick. While she enjoys Cultural Studies, her involvement in politics and her goal to have a career in that field make Political Theory her main choice. |
Transcript
Susan: Well gentlemen, we’ve almost finished our second semester at this university. What do you think of all the courses we attend?
David: On the whole, I’d say they’re quite good, apart from Social History, which I find to be a little too inexact.
Steve: Yes, the lecturer’s style is also very very dull.
Susan: I certainly agree with you there, although I would say that the textbook is more interesting. ‘Welfare State’. The subtitle says, ‘An examination of social development in the 20th century.’
David: Yes, ‘Welfare State’ is a good book, but look how many pages it has. 458!
Steve: I agree. It’s just too long to be easily read. Far too long, although it’s certainly well written in parts.
David: Yes, and if you compare it to the textbook for Cultural Studies—what’s it called?
Susan: ‘Inner Views’, I think.
David: No, that’s the book for Media Studies, and we finished that subject last semester. The book you’re thinking of is ‘In Perspective’.
Susan: Sorry, you’re right. ‘In Perspective’. And the subtitle says, ‘A comparison of social groups.’ Somewhat interesting, wouldn’t you say?
David: Well, mildly so, as is the subject, dealing as it does with such a wide variety of issues, but the book itself certainly oversimplifies a very complex subject.
Steve: I agree. I also got annoyed at its constant oversimplification. Life is more complicated than what it suggests.
Susan: Yes, but what you call ‘oversimplifying’ may well be considered ‘clarifying’. Look at this other textbook, ‘Government in Action’. Some may say that it also oversimplifies, but it must do so in order to present a coherent picture of an equally complex subject.
David: ‘Government in Action’? Which subject...?
Susan: It’s the textbook for ‘Political Theory’.
Steve: Oh, I hate politics. That’s why I don’t like the ‘Active Leadership’ subject, either. And most of the stuff in that ‘Political Theory’ textbook is based on the American system. You see, it’s written by Americans, so it’s not even relevant to us here.
David: I’d agree with you there — it’s not relevant to us at all, since our government uses the Westminster system.
Susan: Yes, I suppose that is a problem.
Susan: Well, it seems we all have certain criticisms about the textbooks we’re using, but at the same time, we all like some elements, at least, of the subjects we’re studying. What’s your favourite subject, David?
David: I’m not sure. I like Political Theory, but...
Steve: Cultural Studies is by far the best, even better than Political Theory, which I also like, but just not as much.
David: Why do you say that, Steve? I was thinking, perhaps, Social History is worth considering as best.
Steve: Social History is good, but I made my choice because the subject is relevant to this modern society.
David: But so is Social History, and I like the historical element, which the other subjects lack. Even Political Theory examines history only briefly, and in a very narrow way, so I’d say Social History is the most rewarding for me. What about you, Susan?
Susan: I think Social History is certainly very good, but Political Theory is, in fact, the best, since basically, every human system boils down to politics. So, despite a certain irrelevancy in the details, the basic message remains as relevant as ever.
David: Oh Susan, you can’t be serious. Let’s ask Olive, again. She’s over there. Olive! Which subject do you think is the best?
Olive: Ah, a difficult question. I’m very interested in culture, so Cultural Studies is certainly my cup of tea, but I’m politically active also, and hope to pursue this as a career, so Political Theory would be the one I’d pick.
David: I don’t believe it. Even with that irrelevant textbook?
Susan: Don’t listen to him, Olive; you have a right to your own opinion.