University of Westlands - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 01 Academic Listening Test 1 · Part 4 · Questions 32–41
Audio
Questions
Questions 32–33 One Choice
Circle the appropriate letter.
Questions 34–36 Note Completion
Complete the notes in NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS.
The subjects taken in the first semester in this course are psychology, sociology, 34 .
Students may have problems with meeting 35 and 36 .
Questions 37–41 One Choice
Circle the appropriate letter.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q32 | B | The Bachelor of Social Science is in one faculty within the university, that is the faculty where I work, known as Arts and Social Sciences | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the speaker identifying the specific group she belongs to by saying the name "Arts and Social Sciences" and stating clearly that it is the place where she works. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the speaker, Marcia Mayhew, is part of the department called Arts and Social Sciences. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the speaker explicitly names the faculty where she is employed. While she mentions other departments like Architecture, Law, and Science and Technology as being on the same campus, she specifically identifies the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences as the one where she works and where the Social Science degree is based. The word 'faculty' in this context refers to a specific division or department within the university. |
| Q33 | C | At the top of the faculty we have a dean and below the dean we have three divisions; each division has a divisional head and your degree is located in the Division of Social Sciences | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains the order of the faculty's organization: first there is a dean, and right below the dean, there are three divisions. Answer Explanation: The answer is divisions. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the speaker explains how the faculty is organized. At the highest level, there is a dean. Immediately below the dean, the faculty is split into three parts called divisions. These divisions then house the different departments and degrees. Therefore, the first level of organization under the dean consists of divisions. |
| Q34 | history and economics / history economics / history,economics | For instance in the first semester you'll be doing four subjects psychology sociology history and economics | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript tells us the names of the four classes students take together in their first semester: psychology, sociology, history, and economics. Answer Explanation: The answer names the two subjects, history and economics, that students study alongside psychology and sociology during their first term. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer uses the list of subjects given by the lecturer for the first semester. She says there are four subjects: psychology, sociology, history, and economics. The prompt already mentions the first two, so history and economics completes the list. |
| Q35 | deadlines / a deadline / deadlines for essays | For instance, you may find that you can't meet a deadline for an essay or perhaps you're having problems with attendance. These seem to be the two most common problems that students face | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that failing to finish work by a set date or having trouble going to class are the two most frequent problems students have. Answer Explanation: The answer means finishing your school work, like an essay, by the date and time the teacher asks for it. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer identifies a major challenge for university students mentioned by the lecturer. She explains that failing to finish an essay on time—which is called a deadline—is one of the most frequent difficulties students encounter. The synonyms 'problems' and 'difficulties' help connect the question to the lecturer's explanation. |
| Q36 | attendance | For instance, you may find that you can't meet a deadline for an essay or perhaps you're having problems with attendance. These seem to be the two most common problems that students face | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that not being able to finish an essay on time and having trouble being present for class (attendance) are the two most typical problems students have. Answer Explanation: The answer 'attendance' means the act of being present at your classes, lectures, or tutorials. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'attendance' because the speaker identifies it as one of the two most frequent issues students encounter. She links 'attendance' directly to 'problems' or 'difficulties' that students might face during their studies. |
| Q37 | B | I'm available on Wednesday and Thursday mornings and on Friday afternoons | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the speaker's schedule: she works in her office on Wednesday morning, Thursday morning, and Friday afternoon. Answer Explanation: The answer B means that the speaker has time to see students on a few mornings during the week, but not every morning. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the speaker gives the specific times they are in their office. She mentions being available on Wednesday and Thursday mornings. Since she only lists two mornings out of the whole week, "some mornings" is the most accurate description. Choices A and C are incorrect because she is not there every morning and she is also there on Friday afternoon. Choice D is incorrect because she is there on Friday afternoon, not the morning. |
| Q38 | C | A tutorial is perhaps where most of the learning occurs at a university. You will be divided into groups of between 12 and 15 students and each week one of you will have to present a piece of work to the group as a whole and then the group will discuss what you've said. It's this discussion, this exchange of ideas, which really constitutes the basis of university learning, in my view | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that in a tutorial, a small group of students will talk about the schoolwork. This person-to-person talking and sharing of different ideas is the most important part of learning at the university. Answer Explanation: The answer means that a tutorial is a meeting where students can talk about their thoughts and listen to others. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is correct because the lecturer explains that a tutorial is a small group meeting where students talk together. She says that students share their work and talk about it with the whole group. She uses the words 'discussion' and 'exchange of ideas' to show that students are giving and getting different opinions or views. |
| Q39 | B | Plagiarism is taking other people's work without acknowledging it, that is, without saying where it comes from. Of course all essays are based on research done by other people but you must remember to attribute the work to the original writer | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that it is okay to use other people's research for an essay, but you must say where the information comes from and give credit to the person who wrote it first. Answer Explanation: The answer means that when students write their school papers, they should tell the teacher which books or authors they used to get their information. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the speaker talks about the problem of "plagiarism." Plagiarism means using someone else's ideas or words without saying who they belong to. The speaker tells the students that they must "attribute" the work, which means they must name the original writer or the source to show where the information came from. If they do not do this, they might fail. |
| Q40 | D | If you don't acknowledge the source of your information then you run the risk of failing the subject or in very serious cases you might be denied entry to the university | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that if you do not say where your information comes from, you might fail your class. In the worst cases, you could even be told you are not allowed to stay at the university. Answer Explanation: The answer means that using another person's work as your own is a very bad and major problem. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is D because the speaker describes the bad things that happen if a student uses plagiarism. Failing a class or being kicked out of the university are very big punishments, which shows that it is a serious offence. |
| Q41 | A | This morning I'd like to tell you about the structure of the university and about some of the requirements of the degree that you're about to enter | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that the speaker's goal is to explain how the university is set up and what is required of students who are starting their studies. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the person speaking wants to tell the students what the university needs them to do and how things work there. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is chosen because the speaker explains the rules and standards that students must follow. For example, she discusses 'requirements' (what is needed), 'deadlines' (when work is due), 'attendance' (being present for class), and 'plagiarism' (using others' work without credit). All of these topics help students understand the 'expectations' or what the school requires from them. |
Transcript
Lecturer:
Good morning and welcome to the University of Westlands. My name is Marcia Mayhew and I'm the co-ordinator of the Bachelor of Social Science degree. This morning I'd like to tell you about the structure of the university and about some of the requirements of the degree that you're about to enter. The Bachelor of Social Science is in one faculty within the university, that is the faculty where I work, known as Arts and Social Sciences. Here on this campus we also have the faculties of Architecture, Law and Science and Technology among others.
It's important to know something about the structure of the faculty because, as you go through your course, you may need to call on members of the staff to help you.
At the top of the faculty we have a dean and below the dean we have three divisions; each division has a divisional head and your degree is located in the Division of Social Sciences. Within each of the divisions, there are the departments and each of these offers the different degrees. For instance two of the departments which offer the major subjects for your award are Sociology and Psychology. Each has a departmental head but for practical purposes the people you are going to see the most of are myself as co-ordinator of the social sciences degree and the actual lecturers who are teaching the subjects that you are taking. For instance in the first semester you'll be doing four subjects psychology sociology history and economics.
If you have any problems or difficulties, not that I'm anticipating you will, but you never know, then you should go and see your lecturers. For instance, you may find that you can't meet a deadline for an essay or perhaps you're having problems with attendance. These seem to be the two most common problems that students face.
If your lecturers are unavailable, you can always come and see me in my office. I'm available on Wednesday and Thursday mornings and on Friday afternoons. Outside these hours, perhaps you could ring the secretary and make an appointment.
Now you'll note that all of the subjects which you undertake in the first year are composed of lectures and tutorials. A lecture is about an hour long and a tutorial usually runs for about two hours. A lecture is rather like what I am doing now where one person will talk to all of you together on a subject. We do ask you to try to attend the lectures.
A tutorial is perhaps where most of the learning occurs at a university. You will be divided into groups of between 12 and 15 students and each week one of you will have to present a piece of work to the group as a whole and then the group will discuss what you've said. It's this discussion, this exchange of ideas, which really constitutes the basis of university learning, in my view. Listening to lectures in many ways is just giving you information that you could access for yourself in the library but the discussion at the tutorial is very important. This doesn't mean that you shouldn't go to the lectures though!
Other factors to be particularly concerned about are the structure of essays and delivery of written material and in particular I would like to mention the question of plagiarism. Plagiarism is taking other people's work without acknowledging it, that is, without saying where it comes from. Of course all essays are based on research done by other people but you must remember to attribute the work to the original writer. And while it's a good idea to work with other people don't hand in work which is exactly the same as your friend's work because we will notice! If you don't acknowledge the source of your information then you run the risk of failing the subject or in very serious cases you might be denied entry to the university.
Last but not least, stay in touch with us. If things are getting you down, don't go and hide. Come and talk to us about it. That's what we are here for. Right, thank you very much for coming along today.