The Future of Self-Access Centre - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 09 Academic Listening Test 2 · Part 3 · Questions 21–30
Audio
Questions
Questions 21–24 One Choice
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Questions 25–30 Note Completion
Complete the notes below.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.
Necessary improvements to the existing Self-Access Centre
Equipment
Replace computers to create more space.
Resources
The level of the 25 materials, in particular, should be more clearly shown.
Update the 26 collection.
Buy some 27 and divide them up.
Use of the room
Speak to the teachers and organise a 28 for supervising the centre.
Install an 29 .
Restrict personal use of 30 on computers.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q21 | C | The majority of students say that they enjoy using it because it provides a variation on the classroom routine and they see it as a pretty major component of their course | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that the students want to keep the center because they see it as a big and important part (a "major component") of their school program ("their course"). Answer Explanation: The answer means that the students believe the Self-Access Centre is a very significant and useful part of their overall education. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because Jun explains that most students view the center as a 'major component' of their course. In this context, 'major component' is a synonym for 'important part,' and 'course' refers to their 'studies.' While the students do want better equipment (ruling out A) and prefer working with a teacher rather than alone (ruling out B), their primary reason for keeping the center is its importance to their learning. |
| Q22 | B | Some of us also think that we could benefit a lot more by relocating the Self-Access Centre to the main University library building | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Pam explaining that some teachers want to change the location of the center to the library. "Relocating" is another word for moving it elsewhere. Answer Explanation: The answer means that some teachers think it is a good idea to put the Self-Access Centre in a different building. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because Pam says that some teachers believe they would get more benefits if they moved the center. She uses the word "relocating," which means moving something from one place to another place. Specifically, she suggests putting it in the university library building instead of where it is now. |
| Q23 | B | Well, the library is big enough to incorporate the Self-Access Centre, but it wouldn't be like a class activity anymore. Our main worry would be not being able to go to a teacher for advice. I'm sure there would be plenty of things to do but we really need teachers to help us choose the best activities | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the library has enough space, but the students are afraid they will miss have a teacher nearby. Jun says their biggest worry is that they will not have a teacher to ask for advice or help when picking what to study. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the biggest problem for students if they move to the library is that they might not be able to get help from a teacher. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is chosen because Jun says the "main worry" for the students is "not being able to go to a teacher for advice." This shows that their primary concern is the difficulty of getting help or guidance. While the library is big enough (so size is not the issue), they feel they "really need teachers to help" them find the right activities. |
| Q24 | C | It's not so much the expense that I'm worried about, and we've certainly got room to do it, but it's the problem of timetabling a teacher to be in there outside class hours | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that Pam is not worried about the cost (expense) or the size (room) of the center. She clearly says that her main concern is the problem of scheduling a teacher to be in the room outside of normal class times. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the person in charge (Pam) is worried about the challenge of creating a schedule so that a teacher is always present to watch over the room. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because Pam specifically says that paying for things and having enough space are not her main worries. Instead, she says the real challenge is the problem of 'timetabling a teacher,' which means creating a schedule for a teacher to stay in the room and supervise students and equipment when classes are over. |
| Q25 | reading | Yes, one of the comments that students frequently make is that they find it difficult to find materials that are appropriate for their level, especially reading resources, so I think we need to label them more clearly | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that students have a hard time picking out the right reading materials for their English level, so Jun suggests using labels to make the levels easier to see. Answer Explanation: The answer refers to books, articles, or other texts that students use to practice reading. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "reading" because Jun points out that students often have trouble finding materials that match their specific learning level. He mentions that this is especially a problem with reading resources. He suggests that labeling these materials more clearly would help students see the difficulty level immediately. This matches the note about showing the level of materials more clearly. |
| Q26 | CD | The CD section especially needs to be more current. I think we should get some of the ones that go with our latest course books and also make multiple copies | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Jun saying that the set of CDs specifically needs new versions that match their newest school books. Answer Explanation: The answer "CD" refers to compact discs, which are items used to store and play audio or information. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "CD" because in the discussion about resources, Jun says that the "CD section" needs to be "more current." In English, making something more current is another way to say "update." Therefore, the notes about updating the collection refer to the CDs. |
| Q27 | workbooks | What do you think of the idea of introducing some workbooks? If we break them up into separate pages and laminate them, they'd be a great resource | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Pam asking Jun if they should get some workbooks. She explains that they can take the books apart into individual pages so students can use them for extra schoolwork. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'workbooks', which are books with space for students to write and practice what they have learned. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'workbooks' because Pam suggests buying these as new materials for the centre. She mentions a specific plan to 'break them up into separate pages,' which is the same as the 'divide them up' phrase used in the question notes. This would allow students to use the pages for practice after their main lessons. |
| Q28 | timetable / schedule | I'll have to talk to the teachers and make sure we can all reach some agreement on a timetable to supervise the centre after class | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that Pam plans to speak with the teachers to decide on a list of times (a timetable) so that someone is always there to watch (supervise) the study area after lessons are finished. Answer Explanation: The answer means a plan or a list of specific times that shows when teachers will be in the room to watch and help students. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'timetable/schedule' because Pam mentions that she needs to talk to the other teachers so they can agree on a 'timetable' for watching the room. In the text, 'supervise' means to watch or look after something, and 'timetable' is a synonym for 'schedule', which means a plan for when things happen. |
| Q29 | alarm | JUN: What about putting in an alarm? PAM: Good idea | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Jun suggesting that they use an alarm for safety, and Pam agrees that it is a helpful suggestion to keep their things safe. Answer Explanation: The answer 'alarm' refers to a security device that makes a loud noise to warn about danger or to stop someone from stealing something. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'alarm' because Jun suggests installing one to improve security for the new equipment they plan to buy. In the transcript, Jun asks, 'What about putting in an alarm?' and Pam responds that it is a 'Good idea.' This fits the 'Use of the room' section where they are looking for ways to protect the center. |
| Q30 | email / emails | The other thing I'd like to do is talk to our technicians and see whether we could somehow limit the access to email | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that Pam plans to ask the technical workers to find a way to reduce or control the use of the email service on the computers. Answer Explanation: The answer 'email/emails' refers to the messages students send to people they know personally, which is not part of their language studies. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'email/emails' because the teacher, Pam, mentions that students are using the center's computers for private communication instead of learning. She suggests talking to technicians to 'limit the access' to this service. In the notes, 'restrict' is used as a synonym for 'limit'. |
Transcript
PAM: Hi Jun. As you know, I've asked you here today to discuss the future of our Self-Access Centre. We have to decide what we want to do about this very important resource for our English language students. So, can you tell me what the students think about this?
JUN: Well, from the students' point of view, we would like to keep it. The majority of students say that they enjoy using it because it provides a variation on the classroom routine and they see it as a pretty major component of their course, but we would like to see some improvements to the equipment, particularly the computers; there aren't enough for one each at the moment and we always have to share.
PAM: Well yes, the teachers agree that it is a very valuable resource but one thing we have noticed is that a lot of the students are using it to check their personal emails. We don't want to stop you students using it, but we think the computers should be used as a learning resource, not for emails. Some of us also think that we could benefit a lot more by relocating the Self-Access Centre to the main University library building. How do you think the students would feel about that, Jun?
JUN: Well, the library is big enough to incorporate the Self-Access Centre, but it wouldn't be like a class activity anymore. Our main worry would be not being able to go to a teacher for advice. I'm sure there would be plenty of things to do but we really need teachers to help us choose the best activities.
PAM: Well, there would still be a teacher present and he or she would guide the activities of the students, we wouldn't just leave them to get on with it.
JUN: Yes, but I think the students would be much happier keeping the existing set-up; they really like going to the Self-Access Centre with their teacher and staying together as a group to do activities. If we could just improve the resources and facilities, I think it would be fine. Is the cost going to be a problem?
PAM: It's not so much the expense that I'm worried about, and we've certainly got room to do it, but it's the problem of timetabling a teacher to be in there outside class hours. If we're going to spend a lot of money on equipment and resources, we really need to make sure that everything is looked after properly. Anyway, let's make some notes to see just what needs doing to improve the Centre.
PAM: Now, what about the computers? I think it might be a good idea to install some new models. They would take up a lot less room and so that would increase the work space for text books and so on.
JUN: That would be great. It is a bit cramped in there at times.
PAM: What about other resources? Do you have a list of things that the students would like to see improved?
JUN: Yes, one of the comments that students frequently make is that they find it difficult to find materials that are appropriate for their level, especially reading resources, so I think we need to label them more clearly.
PAM: Well that's easy enough, we can get that organised very quickly. In fact I think we should review all of the study resources as some of them are looking a bit out-of-date.
JUN: Definitely. The CD section especially needs to be more current. I think we should get some of the ones that go with our latest course books and also make multiple copies.
PAM: Good, now I was also thinking about some different materials that we haven't got in there at all. What do you think of the idea of introducing some workbooks? If we break them up into separate pages and laminate them, they'd be a great resource. The students could study the main course book in class and then do follow-up practice in the Self-Access Centre.
JUN: That sounds good.
PAM: Okay, now finally we need to think about how the room is used. I'll have to talk to the teachers and make sure we can all reach some agreement on a timetable to supervise the centre after class. But we also need to think about security, too. Especially if we're going to invest in some new equipment.
JUN: What about putting in an alarm?
PAM: Good idea. The other thing I'd like to do is talk to our technicians and see whether we could somehow limit the access to email. I really don't want to see that resource misused.
JUN: What about if we agree to only use it before and after class?
PAM: Yes, that would be fine. OK, anyway ... that's great for now. We'll discuss it further when we've managed to ...