Theatre Studies Course - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 10 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.
Theatre Studies Course
Questions 26–30 Matching
What action is needed for the following stages in doing the ‘year abroad’ option?
Choose FIVE answers from the box and write the correct letter, A-G, next to questions
Action
A be on time
B get a letter of recommendation
C plan for the final year
D make sure the institution’s focus is relevant
E show ability in Theatre Studies
F make travel arrangements and bookings
G ask for help
Stages in doing the ‘year abroad’ option
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q21 | C | I’d … I’d visualise what he must have been like in the past, when he was sitting in his consulting room listening to his patients. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that Rob was imagining how his grandfather looked and acted when he was working as a doctor in his office. Answer Explanation: The answer means that Rob imagined how his grandfather worked as a doctor. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'C' because the excerpt mentions that Rob visualized how his grandfather was while sitting in his consulting room, which indicates that he imagined his grandfather at work as a doctor. This aligns with answer choice C, making it the correct option. |
| Q22 | A | And then people kept saying the same thing over and over, like ‘Cold, isn’t it?’ | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript is talking about how people were repeating the same thing, like 'Cold, isn't it?' over and over again. Answer Explanation: The answer points out that the boredom of village life was shown through the repetition of words and phrases. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'A' because the excerpt mentions people saying the same thing repeatedly, which aligns with the idea of repetition of words and phrases indicating the boredom of village life as suggested in the question. |
| Q23 | A | Sophia did. That was OK – she helped us work out exactly what to do, for the production. And that made me feel better, I suppose. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that Rob felt better when Sophia helped the group figure out what to do for the production. Answer Explanation: The answer suggests that Rob likes to have clear guidelines when working in a group. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer 'A' is about liking clear guidelines, which is supported by the excerpt where Rob mentions feeling better when Sophia helped the group work out exactly what to do. This indicates that he appreciates clear directions and guidelines in a group setting. |
| Q24 | B | Well, she found these articles from the 1950s about how relationships between children and their parents, or between the public and people like bank managers or the police were shifting. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript talks about how relationships between different groups of people were changing during the 1950s. Answer Explanation: The answer 'B' refers to changing social attitudes, which aligns with the mentioned shifts in relationships between various groups. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'B' because the research material used in the production described the changing social attitudes, specifically how relationships were shifting during the specified time period. |
| Q25 | B | Yes, and he had this really long speech, with the stage all dark except for one spotlight – and then that stuck somehow so it was shining on the wrong side of the stage … but anyway we got that fixed, thank goodness. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript talks about a problem with a spotlight during a play rehearsal, but they were able to fix it in the end. Answer Explanation: The answer 'B' refers to an equipment failure, which means something went wrong with the spotlight equipment. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'B' because in the excerpt, it mentions that there was an issue with the spotlight shining on the wrong side of the stage. This indicates that there was an equipment failure related to the spotlight, which was resolved during the rehearsal. |
| Q26 | E | Yes, so next year when you are in the second year of the course, you need to work really hard in all your theatre studies modules. Only students with good marks get places – you have to prove that you know your subject really well. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that in the second year of the course, students must work hard in their Theatre Studies classes. Only students who get good grades are allowed to go abroad, so they need to show they know their subject well. Answer Explanation: The answer says that you need to 'show ability in Theatre Studies'. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'show ability in Theatre Studies' because the excerpt says that students have to prove that they know their subject well in order to go abroad. This means they need to show their skills in Theatre Studies. |
| Q27 | D | Well, I decided I wanted a programme that would fit in with what I wanted to do after I graduate, so I looked for a university with emphasis on acting rather than directing for example. It depends on you. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript is saying that when the person was choosing where to go for their 'year abroad' option, they wanted to find a university that prioritized acting over directing. This was important because it aligned with their goals for the future. Answer Explanation: The answer 'D' means making sure the institution's focus is relevant when first choosing where to go for the year abroad. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'D' because the person in the excerpt mentions that they specifically looked for a university with emphasis on acting, which shows the importance of ensuring the institution's focus aligns with your goals and interests when selecting a location for the 'year abroad' option. |
| Q28 | A | I had a friend who missed the deadline and didn’t get her first choice, so you do need to get a move on at that stage. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript suggests that it is important to be punctual or on time when sending in your choices for the 'year abroad' option. Answer Explanation: The answer 'A - be on time' means that you should make sure to not miss any deadlines or submissions for the 'year abroad' option. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'A - be on time' because the excerpt mentions a friend who missed a deadline and didn’t get her first choice, highlighting the importance of being punctual in submitting choices for the 'year abroad' option. |
| Q29 | G | Right. I’ll get some of the final year students to give me some tips … maybe see if I can read what they wrote. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that the person is looking for advice from final year students and considering reading what they wrote. Answer Explanation: The answer means that you should seek help or advice when writing your personal statement. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'G - ask for help' because it is important to seek guidance and support, like asking final year students for tips, when working on tasks like writing a personal statement for the 'year abroad' option. |
| Q30 | C | And while you’re abroad don’t make the mistake I made. I got so involved I forgot all about making arrangements for when I came back here for the final year. Make sure you stay in touch so they know your choices for the optional modules. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript talks about the importance of planning for the final year while being abroad. It mentions that the person speaking forgot to make arrangements for their return for the final year. Answer Explanation: The answer 'C' stands for 'plan for the final year'. This means organizing and preparing for the academic requirements and arrangements needed for the final year of study. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'C' because the excerpt highlights the significance of staying organized and planning ahead for the final year, which aligns with the action of planning for the final year. |
Transcript
MIA: Hi, Rob. How’s the course going?
ROB: Oh, hi, Mia. Yeah, great. I can’t believe the first term’s nearly over.
MIA: I saw your group’s performance last night at the student theatre. It was good.
ROB: Really? Yeah … but now we have to write a report on the whole thing, an in-depth analysis. I don’t know where to start. Like, I have to write about the role I played, the doctor, how I developed the character.
MIA: Well, what was your starting point?
ROB: Er … my grandfather was a doctor before he retired, and I just based it on him.
MIA: OK, but how? Did you talk to him about it?
ROB: He must have all sorts of stories, but he never says much about his work, even now. He has a sort of authority though.
MIA: So how did you manage to capture that?
ROB: I’d … I’d visualise what he must have been like in the past, when he was sitting in his consulting room listening to his patients.
MIA: OK, so that’s what you explain in your report.
ROB: Right.
MIA: Then there’s the issue of atmosphere – so in the first scene we needed to know how boring life was in the doctor’s village in the 1950s, so when the curtain went up on the first scene in the waiting room, there was that long silence before anyone spoke. And then people kept saying the same thing over and over, like ‘Cold, isn’t it?’
ROB: Yes, and everyone wore grey and brown, and just sat in a row.
MIA: Yes, all those details of the production.
ROB: And I have to analyse how I functioned in the group – what I found out about myself. I know I was so frustrated at times, when we couldn’t agree.
MIA: Yes. So did one person emerge as the leader?
ROB: Sophia did. That was OK – she helped us work out exactly what to do, for the production. And that made me feel better, I suppose.
MIA: When you understood what needed doing?
ROB: Yes. And Sophia did some research, too. That was useful in developing our approach.
MIA: Like what?
ROB: Well, she found these articles from the 1950s about how relationships between children and their parents, or between the public and people like bank managers or the police were shifting.
MIA: Interesting. And did you have any practical problems to overcome?
ROB: Well, in the final rehearsal everything was going fine until the last scene – what’s where the doctor’s first patient appears on stage on his own.
MIA: The one in the wheelchair?
ROB: Yes, and he had this really long speech, with the stage all dark except for one spotlight – and then that stuck somehow so it was shining on the wrong side of the stage … but anyway we got that fixed, thank goodness.
MIA: Yes, it was fine on the night.
———————–
ROB: But while you’re here, Mia. I wanted to ask you about the year abroad option. Would you recommend doing that?
MIA: Yes, definitely. It’s a fantastic chance to study in another country for a year.
ROB: I think I’d like to do it, but it looks very competitive – there’s only a limited number of places.
MIA: Yes, so next year when you are in the second year of the course, you need to work really hard in all your theatre studies modules. Only students with good marks get places – you have to prove that you know your subject really well.
ROB: Right. So how did you choose where to go?
MIA: Well, I decided I wanted a programme that would fit in with what I wanted to do after I graduate, so I looked for a university with emphasis on acting rather than directing for example. It depends on you. Then about six months before you go, you have to email the scheme coordinator with your top three choices. I had a friend who missed the deadline and didn’t get her first choice, so you do need to get a move on at that stage. You’ll find that certain places are very popular with everyone.
ROB: And don’t you have to write a personal statement at that stage?
MIA: Yes.
ROB: Right. I’ll get some of the final year students to give me some tips … maybe see if I can read what they wrote.
MIA: I think that’s a very good idea. I don’t mind showing you what I did. And while you’re abroad don’t make the mistake I made. I got so involved I forgot all about making arrangements for when I came back here for the final year. Make sure you stay in touch so they know your choices for the optional modules. You don’t want to miss out doing your preferred specialisms.
ROB: Right.