University Helpline - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 03 Academic Listening Test 2 · Part 2 · Questions 11–20
Audio
Questions
Questions 11–15 Table Completion
Complete the table below.
Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.
| TYPE OF HELP | EXAMPLES |
|---|---|
| FINANCIAL |
|
| 12 |
|
| ACADEMIC |
|
| 14 |
|
Questions 16–20 Note Completion
Complete the notes below.
Write NUMBERS OR NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.
HELPLINE DETAILS
| Officer | Jackie 16 |
| Address | Student Welfare Office
13 Marshall Road |
| Telephone number | 17 |
| Opening hours | 9.30am – 6pm (weekdays)
18 (Saturdays) Ring or visit office for 19 N.B. At peak times there may be a 20 |
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q11 | overseas student fees / overseas fees / student fees / fees | We can provide information on financial matters; for example, you may feel that your grant is insufficient to see you through college life or you may have some queries regarding the fees you are paying if you are an overseas student | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that the helpline can help with money questions. It mentions two specific topics: grants and the fees that students from other countries (overseas students) have to pay. Answer Explanation: The answer means the money that students from other countries must pay for their classes. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer belongs in the 'Financial' category of the table. In the transcript, the speaker discusses money-related help (financial matters) and gives two examples. The first example given is 'grants,' and the second example is 'fees' for 'overseas' students. Overseas students are those who come from another country. |
| Q12 | the domestic area / domestic area / the domestic / domestic | Another area we can help with is what we generally term the ‘domestic’ area; things such as childcare and the availability of nursery provision, for example, come under this | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the 'domestic' area is a type of help that includes looking after children (childcare) and finding places for young kids to stay (nursery provision). Answer Explanation: The answer is the name of a category for help related to home and family life, like taking care of children. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is identified as the 'domestic' area because the speaker explicitly links this term to examples like 'childcare' and 'nursery provision'. In English, 'domestic' often refers to things happening inside a home or related to family life. The transcript uses this specific word to group those services together. |
| Q13 | essay deadlines / deadlines | You may wish to know more about essay deadlines, for example, or how to use the library - there are all kinds of questions you will find yourself asking and not knowing where to get quick answers from | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the Helpline can help students find quick answers to questions about schoolwork, such as knowing when their writing assignments (essays) are due or how to use the university library. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'essay deadlines,' which refers to the specific date and time by which a student must hand in their written school reports or papers. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'essay deadlines' because the speaker lists it as a practical example of help for 'academic' issues. New students might not know when their papers (essays) are due, so they can contact the Helpline for this information. 'Academic' issues are matters related to classes and learning at school. |
| Q14 | social life / social | The last example I’ve given here is simply termed ‘social’ - and yes, there is a lot of social life here | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that the final category is called "social" and mentions that there is a lot of "social life" at the school. Answer Explanation: The answer "social (life)" is the name of the last category of help the university provides to students. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "social (life)" because the speaker says the final area of help is called "social." This part of the service helps students find activities they like and join group trips. The word "termed" is a synonym for "named." |
| Q15 | outings / trips / outings or trips | But you may have a particular interest you wish to pursue or you may wish to participate in outings or trips if you don’t know many people at the moment | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the university has many social activities, and students can join organized group trips or travel events if they want to meet others. Answer Explanation: The answer means students can get help finding group travel events or organized visits to places. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is found in the section about social help provided by the University Helpline. The speaker explains that for students who want to meet new people or have specific interests, the Helpline can suggest social activities. The text specifically lists "outings or trips" as examples of these social opportunities. |
| Q16 | KOUACHI | Generally you will see our Helpline officer Jackie Kouachi, that’s K-O-U-A-C-H-I | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript identifies the officer as Jackie Kouachi and provides the exact spelling of her family name. Answer Explanation: The answer is the last name of the woman who works at the university helpline. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is Jackie's last name. In the talk, the speaker introduces the Helpline officer as Jackie and then spells her last name out loud letter by letter so the students can write it correctly: K-O-U-A-C-H-I. |
| Q17 | 3269940 | If you wish to ring the office, the number is 326 99 40. That’s 3269940 | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that if a student wants to telephone the office, they should use the numbers 3269940. Answer Explanation: The answer is the telephone number you can call to reach the student help office. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 3269940 because the speaker in the transcript says this is the number to use if you want to 'ring' (which means call) the office. |
| Q18 | 10 to 4 / 10 - 4 / 10 am to 4 pm / 10 am - 4 pm | The office is open between 9.30 and 6.00 on weekdays and from 10 to 4 on Saturdays and there’ll be somebody there - usually Jackie or myself - between those times | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the office is open starting at 10 and ending at 4 on Saturdays. Answer Explanation: The answer is the hours when the office is open on Saturdays, which is from 10:00 in the morning until 4:00 in the afternoon. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is found in the part of the talk where the speaker gives the schedule for the office. He mentions that while the office has longer hours during the week, it operates from 10 to 4 on Saturdays. The word 'from' and 'to' are used to show the start and end of the opening hours. |
| Q19 | an appointment / appointment / appointments | If you want to make an appointment you can phone or call at the office in person | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that students can schedule a meeting time by calling the office on the telephone or by going there themselves. Answer Explanation: The answer means a set time to meet with a staff member to get help or information. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is found by matching the actions mentioned in the notes—ring or visit—to the speech. The speaker says that if you want to 'make an appointment,' you can 'phone' (which is the same as 'ring') or 'call at the office in person' (which is the same as 'visit'). |
| Q20 | waiting list | Please note that it may not be possible for anyone to see you straight away - particularly if it is a busy time - lunch time for example - and you may have to go on the waiting list and then come back later | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that if the office is very busy, you cannot have a meeting immediately. In those cases, you must add your name to a list of people waiting and return at a different time. Answer Explanation: The answer "waiting list" refers to a list of people who are waiting for a service or to see someone, often used when an office is very busy. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "waiting list" because the speaker mentions that during a "busy time" (which is a synonym for the "peak times" used in the notes), it might not be possible to talk to someone right away. Instead, you would be put on a list and asked to return later. The transcript specifically uses the term "waiting list" to describe what happens when the office is full. |
Transcript
Hello, everybody and welcome to this informal meeting about the University Helpline. The Helpline was set up ten years ago by the Students Union and it aims to provide new students to the university with a service that they can use if they need information about practical areas of student life that they are unfamiliar with.
Let me give you some examples of the type of help we can offer. We can provide information on financial matters; for example, you may feel that your grant is insufficient to see you through college life or you may have some queries regarding the fees you are paying if you are an overseas student. In both cases, the Helpline would be able to go through things with you and see what the outcome might be. Another area we can help with is what we generally term the ‘domestic’ area; things such as childcare and the availability of nursery provision, for example, come under this. Then there’s ‘academic’ issues that may arise while you are in the early stages of your course that you may not know what to do about. You may wish to know more about essay deadlines, for example, or how to use the library - there are all kinds of questions you will find yourself asking and not knowing where to get quick answers from. The Helpline would be able to provide these. The last example I’ve given here is simply termed ‘social’ - and yes, there is a lot of social life here! But you may have a particular interest you wish to pursue or you may wish to participate in outings or trips if you don’t know many people at the moment.
Let me give you some details so that you know where to go and who to see if you want to pay us a visit. Generally you will see our Helpline officer Jackie Kouachi, that’s K-O-U-A-C-H-I. Jackie is a full-time employee of the Student Union and she works in the Student Welfare Office - that’s the office that deals with all matters related to student welfare and it’s located at 13 Marshall Road. I have some maps here for those of you who haven’t been there yet. If you wish to ring the office, the number is 326 99 40. That’s 3269940. The office is open between 9.30 and 6.00 on weekdays and from 10 to 4 on Saturdays and there’ll be somebody there - usually Jackie or myself - between those times. If you want to make an appointment you can phone or call at the office in person. Please note that it may not be possible for anyone to see you straight away - particularly if it is a busy time - lunch time for example - and you may have to go on the waiting list and then come back later.
Well, enough from me. Any questions?