The Performances Of Romeo And Juliet - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 17 Academic Listening Test 2 · Part 3 · Questions 21–30
Audio
Questions
Questions 21–22 Multiple Choice (Two Answers)
Choose TWO letters, A-E.
Questions 23–27 Matching
Which opinion do the speakers give about each of the following aspects of The Emporium’s production of Romeo and Juliet?
Choose FIVE answers from the box and write the correct letter, A-G, next to Questions
Opinions
A They both expected this to be more traditional.
B They both thought this was original.
C They agree this created the right atmosphere.
D They agree this was a major strength.
E They were both disappointed by this.
F They disagree about why this was an issue.
G They disagree about how this could be improved.
Aspects of the production
Questions 28–30 Multiple Choice (One Answer)
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q21 | — | — | |
| Q22 | D / E | And part of that means talking about the emotional impact the performance had on us. And we should definitely mention how well the director handled important bits of the play – like when Romeo climbs onto Juliet’s balcony. |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript is talking about how to write a review of the play 'Romeo and Juliet'. It mentions discussing the emotional impact of the performance and praising the director's handling of key scenes. Answer Explanation: The answer indicates that the students agreed to include their personal reaction (option D) and reference to particular scenes (option E) in their review of 'Romeo and Juliet'. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is D (a personal reaction) and E (a reference to particular scenes) because in the transcript, it states that they should talk about the emotional impact and highlight important parts of the play, like when Romeo climbs onto Juliet's balcony. These align with sharing personal reactions and referencing specific scenes in their review. |
| Q23 | D | I think it was visually really stunning. I’d say that was probably the most memorable thing about this production. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript talks about how visually stunning the set was and mentions that it was the most memorable aspect of the production. Answer Explanation: The answer 'D' indicates that the speakers agree that the set was a major strength of The Emporium's production of Romeo and Juliet. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'D' because the excerpt specifically mentions that the set was visually stunning and the most memorable aspect of the production, indicating that both speakers considered it a major strength. |
| Q24 | C | It helped to change the mood of the quieter scenes. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that the lighting helped to change the mood of the quieter scenes. Answer Explanation: The answer suggests that both speakers agreed that the lighting created the right atmosphere for the production. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the excerpt clearly states that the lighting contributed to setting the appropriate mood for certain scenes, indicating that it created the right atmosphere as both speakers agreed. |
| Q25 | A | I was a bit surprised by the contemporary dress, I must say. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that the speaker was surprised by the modern clothing used in the play. Answer Explanation: The answer suggests that both speakers were expecting more traditional costumes. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'A' because both speakers express surprise at the contemporary dress, indicating their expectation for a more traditional costume design. |
| Q26 | E | I thought they were wasted because the music didn’t have much impact in Acts 2 and 3. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript mentions that the speaker felt that the musical aspect of the play did not have a strong effect during Acts 2 and 3. Answer Explanation: The answer indicates that both speakers were disappointed by the music. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'E' because the excerpt clearly states that the speaker felt the music didn't have much impact, suggesting a sense of disappointment about this aspect of the production. |
| Q27 | F | They were speaking too fast. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that the speakers thought the actors were speaking too quickly. Answer Explanation: The answer indicates that the speakers disagreed about why the actors speaking too quickly was an issue. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'F' because the speakers had differing opinions on why the actors speaking too fast was a problem, showing disagreement about the issue. |
| Q28 | B | There are always disagreements and tension between teenagers and their parents. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript talks about how teenagers and their parents often have disagreements and tension. Answer Explanation: The answer suggests that the story of Romeo and Juliet is relevant because it teaches young people about relationships. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'B' because the excerpt implies that the story of Romeo and Juliet deals with problems that families experience, specifically highlighting the tensions and disagreements between teenagers and their parents. |
| Q29 | C | The ending was pretty powerful. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript is saying that the end of the movie or play was very strong or impactful. Answer Explanation: The answer choice 'moving' describes the students' emotional reaction to the movie or play. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'C' because the students found the experience of watching 'Romeo and Juliet' in another language emotionally touching or impactful, as indicated by the statement 'The ending was pretty powerful.' This aligns with the meaning of 'moving' as being emotionally touching or stirring. |
| Q30 | C | Yeah, and they can also be understood on different levels. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript suggests that Shakespeare's plays can be understood in different ways. Answer Explanation: The answer suggests that students think Shakespeare's plays can be interpreted in many ways. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer aligns with the information in the excerpt as it reflects the idea that Shakespeare's plays offer various layers of meaning that can be understood differently by different people. |
Transcript
ED: Did you make notes while you were watching the performances of Romeo and Juliet, Gemma?
GEMMA: Yes, I did. I found it quite hard though. I kept getting too involved in the play.
ED: Me too. I ended up not taking notes. I wrote down my impressions when I got home. Do you mind if I check a few things with you? In case I’ve missed anything. And I’ve also got some questions about our assignment.
GEMMA: No, it’s good to talk things through. I may have missed things too.
ED: OK great. So first of all, I’m not sure how much information we should include in our reviews.
GEMMA: Right. Well, I don’t think we need to describe what happens. Especially as Romeo and Juliet is one of Shakespeare’s most well-known plays.
ED: Yeah, everyone knows the story. In an essay we’d focus on the poetry and Shakespeare’s use of imagery etc., but that isn’t really relevant in a review. We’re supposed to focus on how effective this particular production is.
GEMMA: Mmm. We should say what made it a success or a failure.
ED: And part of that means talking about the emotional impact the performance had on us. I think that’s important.
GEMMA: Yes. And we should definitely mention how well the director handled important bits of the play – like when Romeo climbs onto Juliet’s balcony.
ED: And the fight between Mercutio and Tybalt.
GEMMA: Yes. It would also be interesting to mention the theatre space and how the director used it but I don’t think we’ll have space in 800 words.
ED: No. OK. That all sounds quite straightforward.
—————————
ED: So what about The Emporium Theatre’s production of the play?
GEMMA: I thought some things worked really well but there were some problems too.
ED: Yeah. What about the set, for example?
GEMMA: I think it was visually really stunning. I’d say that was probably the most memorable thing about this production.
ED: You’re right. The set design was really amazing, but actually I have seen similar ideas used in other productions.
GEMMA: What about the lighting? Some of the scenes were so dimly lit it was quite hard to see.
ED: I didn’t dislike it. It helped to change the mood of the quieter scenes.
GEMMA: That’s a good point.
ED: What did you think of the costumes?
GEMMA: I was a bit surprised by the contemporary dress, I must say.
ED: Yeah – I think it worked well, but I had assumed it would be more conventional.
GEMMA: Me too. I liked the music at the beginning and I thought the musicians were brilliant, but I thought they were wasted because the music didn’t have much impact in Acts 2 and 3.
ED: Yes – that was a shame.
GEMMA: One problem with this production was that the actors didn’t deliver the lines that well. They were speaking too fast.
ED: It was a problem I agree, but I thought it was because they weren’t speaking loudly enough – especially at key points in the play.
GEMMA: I actually didn’t have a problem with that.
ED: It’s been an interesting experience watching different versions of Romeo and Juliet, hasn’t it?
GEMMA: Definitely. It’s made me realise how relevant the play still is.
ED: Right. I mean a lot’s changed since Shakespeare’s time, but in many ways nothing’s changed. There are always disagreements and tension between teenagers and their parents.
GEMMA: Yes, that’s something all young people can relate to – more than the violence and the extreme emotions in the play.
ED: How did you find watching it in translation?
GEMMA: Really interesting. I expected to find it more challenging, but I could follow the story pretty well.
ED: I stopped worrying about not being able to understand all the words and focused on the actors’ expressions. The ending was pretty powerful.
GEMMA: Yes. That somehow intensified the emotion for me.
ED: Did you know Shakespeare’s been translated into more languages than any other writer?
GEMMA: What’s the reason for his international appeal, do you think?
ED: I was reading that it’s because his plays are about basic themes that people everywhere are familiar with.
GEMMA: Yeah, and they can also be understood on different levels. The characters have such depth.
ED: Right – which allows directors to experiment and find new angles.
GEMMA: That’s really important because …