Taking A Course - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From IELTS Recent Actual Test 3 Academic Listening Test 3 · Part 3 · Questions 21–30
Audio
Questions
Questions 21–25 Multiple Choice (One Answer)
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Questions 26–30 Matching
What feature do the speakers identify for each of the following courses?
Choose FIVE answers from the box and write the correct letters, A-G.
A. limited value
B. useful
C. relevant to career
D. flexible admission
E. intensive
F. improving leadership
G. self-control and time management
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q21 | A | The reason that I want to study the course is that I have a great interest in the subject and I think I would really enjoy it. I believe the only way that I will enjoy my life is if I enjoy my career. Happiness is far more important than money, don't you think | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that the student wants to study this subject because she likes it and believes that enjoying her job is the secret to a happy life. Answer Explanation: The answer explains that the student wants to study Tourism to have a happy and satisfying life and career in the years ahead. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because Charlotte (the student) explains that her main goal is to have a job she likes. She says she has a "great interest" in Tourism and thinks she would "really enjoy it." She believes that liking her work is the only way to be happy in her life later on. This matches the idea of a "good future." She is not choosing it for "good pay" (Option B) because she says happiness is more important than money, and she is not following her "parents' will" (Option C) because her parents are actually worried about her choice. |
| Q22 | B | A large part of the Tourism course is dedicated to teaching students how to manage finances, a skill that you can apply to your everyday life as well | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that the Tourism class spends a lot of time showing students how to handle their money. Answer Explanation: The answer means that students in the Tourism course will learn how to look after and plan their money. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because Dr. Twain explains that the Tourism course focuses on teaching students how to 'manage finances.' In English, 'managing finances' is a synonym for 'financial planning.' Although Dr. Twain mentions 'time management' (choice A), he suggests taking it as a 'sideline course,' which means it is a separate class and not part of the main Tourism course itself. |
| Q23 | A | I have always been very capable and self-sufficient. I have a lot of confidence in my abilities and will take the initiative in situations without needing to depend on anyone else for their help | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Charlotte explaining that she is a person who can work by herself and take action without waiting for or needing other people's assistance. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the student is able to do things on her own without needing help from others. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because Charlotte describes herself using the word "self-sufficient" and says she does not "depend on anyone else for their help." These are synonyms for being independent. While Dr. Twain mentions "communication skills," he asks if she has them, but Charlotte does not claim them as a strength. Additionally, she specifically says she finds "statistics quite difficult," which makes choice C wrong. |
| Q24 | C | The industry has, in fact, grown significantly as people have developed an ever-increasing interest in culture and travel | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that the tourism industry is getting bigger and that more and more people are becoming interested in travel and culture. Answer Explanation: The answer C means that the teacher believes tourism is becoming more well-liked and more people want to travel. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because Dr. Twain mentions that while some people think the tourism industry is getting smaller, the reality is the opposite. He points out that the industry has grown a lot and that people's interest in traveling is always increasing. This means the industry is becoming more popular. Key words to notice are 'grown significantly' and 'ever-increasing interest'. |
| Q25 | C | Yes, I have. I was interested in studying the course in modules. However, the university doesn't offer that option. I don't have enough funds to be able to attend an expensive university, so I was relieved to see that the course is quite affordable | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Charlotte explaining her comparison process. She notes that even though she can't afford an expensive school because she lacks 'funds' (money), she found the university's price to be 'affordable,' meaning the price is reasonable for her. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the student found the cost of the university course to be fair and not too high. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because Charlotte explains that she looked at different options and chose the university after checking the costs. She mentions she does not have much money ('funds') and was happy or 'relieved' to find that the course price was 'affordable,' which is a synonym for reasonable. While she mentions modules (Option B) and summer school (Option A), she notes the university does not have modules, and she preferred the university experience over a summer school. |
| Q26 | E | DR TWAIN: That is really worth learning, however, be aware that it is difficult and will demand a lot of your time | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Dr. Twain telling the student that while the subject is valuable, it is hard to do and requires a lot of the student's time. Answer Explanation: The answer E means the course is 'intensive,' which describes something that requires a lot of hard work, energy, and a large amount of time to complete. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is E because Dr. Twain describes the 'Travel and Business' course as being 'difficult' and something that will 'demand a lot of your time.' These characteristics — being hard and needing many hours of work — are the definition of an intensive course. |
| Q27 | A | You might find that Japanese is an interesting course and it will teach you valuable skills in speaking the language. Personally, it's not bad and could be of some help, but not that much | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Dr. Twain explaining that the Japanese course teaches language skills and is not a bad choice, but he believes it will only help a little bit. Answer Explanation: The answer 'A' means that the Japanese course is not very important and does not provide a lot of help to the student. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'A' because Dr. Twain mentions that although the Japanese course could provide some help, it is "not that much." This suggests that the course has a small or low level of usefulness, which matches the meaning of 'limited value.' |
| Q28 | B | DR TWAIN: Well, if you have time, the course will teach you a lot about curing diseases and illnesses, or dealing with injuries outside, although it's not essential. CHARLOTTE: So, OK, if it's useful, I'll take it | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the teacher explaining what students learn in Medical Care, such as helping sick people. Charlotte responds by calling the course "useful" and saying she will take it. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the "Medical Care" course is helpful for the student to take. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because Charlotte identifies the course as "useful" after hearing what it is about. Dr. Twain explains that the course teaches skills for helping sick or injured people. Charlotte then uses the word "useful" to describe it and decides she will take it because of that reason. |
| Q29 | D | If you enjoy using technology and are worried about fulfilling the entry requirements, computing is very relaxed about the skills that applicants must possess | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that if a student is worried about meeting the rules to get into a course, the computer course is a good option because it does not demand many specific skills from people who apply. Answer Explanation: The answer D means that the computer course has rules for joining that are not very strict. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is D because Dr. Twain explains that the computing course is "very relaxed" about the skills that a student needs to have before joining. This matches the idea of "flexible admission," which refers to a situation where the entry requirements (the rules to get into a school or course) are easy to meet or not very rigid. |
| Q30 | C | Yes, I would recommend that course. It would be related to entering the Tourism industry as it will educate you on how to approach clients and develop associations with them | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Dr. Twain saying that the Public Relations course is related to getting a job in Tourism because it teaches students how to work with customers and build connections. Answer Explanation: The answer C means that the Public Relations course is connected to the job or professional field that the student wants to enter. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because Dr. Twain explains that the Public Relations course is directly linked to the professional world of Tourism. He mentions that it helps a person enter that specific industry by teaching them how to talk to clients and build professional relationships. This makes the course 'relevant,' or useful and connected, to her future career. |
Transcript
CHARLOTTE: Excuse me, Dr Twain. May I speak with you for a minute?
DR TWAIN: Of course, please come in.
CHARLOTTE: I'm Charlotte York. I'm considering taking your course in Tourism.
DR TWAIN: Right. Well, Charlotte, how can I help you?
CHARLOTTE: I have been considering studying Tourism, however, it is such an important decision that I would like to seek some advice about it first. Would you mind answering some of my questions?
DR TWAIN: Absolutely, fire away!
CHARLOTTE: Well I have been discussing courses with my parents and they are concerned that I will not be able to get a well-paid job with a degree in Tourism. The reason that I want to study the course is that I have a great interest in the subject and I think I would really enjoy it. I believe the only way that I will enjoy my life is if I enjoy my career. Happiness is far more important than money, don't you think?
DR TWAIN: Absolutely. I would much rather be happy and poor rather than rich and miserable. Money cannot buy you happiness.
CHARLOTTE: I'm glad you agree.
DR TWAIN: You needn't worry about money, Charlotte. A large part of the Tourism course is dedicated to teaching students how to manage finances, a skill that you can apply to your everyday life as well. I would also recommend that you take a sideline course in time management, as this can be incredibly useful in efficiently planning your workload. Efficiency is the key to success!
CHARLOTTE: I'll remember that.
DR TWAIN: Now I have found that some students have natural talents that really help them to succeed in the course. Communication skills, for example, can be very beneficial. Do you have any strengths?
CHARLOTTE: Maths was always my favourite subject at school so I really enjoy solving mathematical problems, however I find statistics quite difficult. I have always been very capable and self-sufficient. I have a lot of confidence in my abilities and will take the initiative in situations without needing to depend on anyone else for their help.
DR TWAIN: That's a really great quality to have and will be particularly useful if you choose to study Tourism.
CHARLOTTE: That's great.
DR TWAIN: I would recommend that you spend some of your time researching the course. A lot of people who are uneducated on the subject claim that Tourism is a shrinking industry and that it will become irrelevant in the future. If you study the published research however, you will see that the truth is quite the opposite. The industry has, in fact, grown significantly as people have developed an ever-increasing interest in culture and travel. Have you compared the university course with a polytechnic?
CHARLOTTE: Yes, I have. I was interested in studying the course in modules. However, the university doesn't offer that option. I don't have enough funds to be able to attend an expensive university, so I was relieved to see that the course is quite affordable. I also considered attending a summer school instead of university to save money and so that I could work during the rest of the year, but I really wanted the university experience.
DR TWAIN: I think that university would suit you well.
DR TWAIN: Now, what about the courses? Are you interested in any of the other subjects on offer?
MELANIE: I have looked at a few. I was interested in Travel and Business as it sounds similar to Tourism.
DR TWAIN: That is really worth learning, however, be aware that it is difficult and will demand a lot of your time.
MELANIE: OK, that's good to know.
DR TWAIN: You might find that Japanese is an interesting course and it will teach you valuable skills in speaking the language. Personally, it's not bad and could be of some help, but not that much.
MELANIE: OK, Japanese, got that... What about Medical Care?
DR TWAIN: Well, if you have time, the course will teach you a lot about curing diseases and illnesses, or dealing with injuries outside, although it's not essential.
CHARLOTTE: So, OK, if it's useful, I'll take it.
DR TWAIN: If you enjoy using technology and are worried about fulfilling the entry requirements, computing is very relaxed about the skills that applicants must possess.
CHARLOTTE: I'm terrible with computers so I'm not sure that I would enjoy that course. How about Public Relations?
DR TWAIN: Yes, I would recommend that course. It would be related to entering the Tourism industry as it will educate you on how to approach clients and develop associations with them.
CHARLOTTE: That's great! Thank you so much for your help!