Victor Hugo - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 18 Academic Listening Test 4 · Part 4 · Questions 31–40
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Questions
Questions 31–40 Note Completion
Complete the notes below.
Write ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.
Victor Hugo
His novel, Les Misérables
- It has been adapted for theatre and cinema.
- We know more about its overall 31 than about its author.
His early career
- In Paris, his career was successful and he led the Romantic movement.
- He spoke publicly about social issues, such as 32 and education.
- Napoleon III disliked his views and exiled him.
His exile from France
- Victor Hugo had to live elsewhere in 33
- He used his income from the sale of some 34 he had written to buy a house on Guernsey.
His house on Guernsey
- Victor Hugo lived in this house until the end of the Empire in France.
- The ground floor contains portraits, 35 and tapestries that he valued.
- He bought cheap 36 made of wood and turned this into beautiful wall carvings.
- The first floor consists of furnished areas with wallpaper and 37 that have a Chinese design.
- The library still contains many of his favourite books.
- He wrote in a room at the top of the house that had a view of the 38.
- He entertained other writers as well as poor 39 in his house.
- Victor Hugo’s 40 gave ownership of the house to the city of Paris in 1927.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q31 | plot | So, some of us, I’m sure, have a pretty general idea of the plot, but we know much less about the author. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript talks about how most people have a basic understanding of the story in the novel 'Les Misérables' but know very little about the person who wrote it. Answer Explanation: The answer refers to the 'plot,' which means the main events or storyline of a book, movie, or play. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'plot' because the excerpt is highlighting the contrast between people's familiarity with the storyline of 'Les Misérables' (the plot) and their lack of knowledge about its author. By mentioning that people have a general idea of the plot, it indicates that they are more aware of the events and structure of the story rather than details about the writer, Victor Hugo. |
| Q32 | poverty | However, as well as being a literary genius, he also gave many speeches about issues like the level of poverty in his society. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript mentions that Victor Hugo talked about the issue of poverty in his society during his speeches. Answer Explanation: The answer refers to the condition of being very poor, which was a topic Victor Hugo discussed in his speeches. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'poverty' because it directly relates to the mention of Victor Hugo speaking about the level of poverty in his society, as highlighted in the provided excerpt. |
| Q33 | Europe | So Victor Hugo was forced to reside in other parts of Europe. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript tells us that Victor Hugo had to live in different parts of Europe. Answer Explanation: The answer 'Europe' refers to a continent where Victor Hugo lived other than France. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer matches the context of the excerpt where it mentions that Victor Hugo had to reside in other parts of Europe, indicating that he lived outside of France in various European regions during his exile. |
| Q34 | poetry | This was a property that he bought using the money he’d made in France from the publication of a collection of his poetry. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript talks about Victor Hugo buying a property using the money he earned in France from selling a collection of his written works. Answer Explanation: The answer refers to a form of written works that may contain emotions, ideas, and artistic expression in a structured way. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer 'poetry' is supported by the statement that mentions Victor Hugo earning money in France through a collection of his poetry. This indicates that the answer fits the context of the excerpt about Hugo's literary works and how he utilized the income generated from them. |
| Q35 | drawings | He lived in the house with his family … and portraits of its members still hang in rooms on the ground floor, along with drawings that he did during his travels that he felt were important to him. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript mentions that Victor Hugo's house on Guernsey contains drawings that he did during his travels, which he considered important. Answer Explanation: The answer 'drawings' refers to the illustrated artworks that Victor Hugo created during his journeys and valued enough to display in his house. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer aligns with the information provided in the excerpt, which specifically mentions drawings made by Victor Hugo as part of the items displayed in his house on Guernsey. |
| Q36 | furniture | The walls are covered in dark wood panelling that Victor Hugo created himself using wooden furniture that he bought in the market. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript describes how Victor Hugo used wooden furniture that he bought in the market to create dark wood panelling for his house. Answer Explanation: The answer refers to items like chairs, tables, and cabinets that are used to make a room comfortable or attractive. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer matches the description in the excerpt where it talks about Victor Hugo using wooden furniture to create the dark wood panelling in his house. |
| Q37 | lamps | There’s a strong Chinese influence in these areas in things like the wallpaper pattern and the lamps – which he would have made himself by copying original versions. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript mentions that in Victor Hugo's house on Guernsey, there is a strong Chinese influence in the decorated areas, specifically in things like the wallpaper pattern and the lamps. It indicates that he made the lamps himself by copying original versions. Answer Explanation: The answer 'lamps' refers to the lighting fixtures or sources used in Victor Hugo's house, which had a Chinese design. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'lamps' because the excerpt explicitly mentions the lamps in Victor Hugo's house on Guernsey, highlighting the Chinese influence in their design. This aligns with the description provided in the answer. |
| Q38 | harbour / harbor | And then, at the very top of the house, there’s a room called the Lookout – called that because it looks out over the harbour. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript talks about a room at the top of Victor Hugo's house that has a view looking out over the water where ships dock. Answer Explanation: The answer 'harbour' or 'harbor' refers to a place where ships can be docked, loaded, and unloaded, usually protected from the open sea. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'harbour/harbor' because the description in the excerpt matches the definition of a 'harbour,' which is a sheltered place where ships can anchor, and the room mentioned likely offers a view of this area. |
| Q39 | children | While living in his house on Guernsey, he entertained many other famous writers, but he also invited a large group of local children from the deprived areas of the island to dinner once a week. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript mentions that while living in his house on Guernsey, Victor Hugo invited many famous writers, as well as a large group of local children from the poorer areas of the island, to have dinner with him once a week. Answer Explanation: The answer refers to young individuals who are the offspring of adults. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'children' because the excerpt clearly states that Victor Hugo invited a group of local children to have dinner with him, alongside other writers. This shows his kindness and care for the less fortunate children in the community. |
| Q40 | relatives | In 1927, the house was owned by his relatives, and they decided to donate it to the city of Paris. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript mentions that in 1927, the ownership of Victor Hugo's house on Guernsey was with his relatives. Answer Explanation: The answer refers to people related to Victor Hugo, such as his family members. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer 'relatives' is accurate because it aligns with the idea that those who owned the house and decided to donate it were likely individuals connected to Victor Hugo, like his family. |
Transcript
The person I’ve chosen to talk about is the French writer Victor Hugo – many people have heard of him because his novel, Les Miserables, which he wrote in 1862, is famous around the world. It became a stage musical in the 1980s, and a film version was also released in 2012. So, some of us, I’m sure, have a pretty general idea of the plot, but we know much less about the author. Today, I’m going to provide a little more insight into this talented man and I’m going to talk particularly about the home he had on the island of Guernsey in the British Channel Islands.
But first, his early career … as I’ve said, he was a writer, he was at the height of his career in Paris and he was very highly regarded by his colleagues. As far as literature was concerned, he was the leading figure of the Romantic movement. However, as well as being a literary genius, he also gave many speeches about issues like the level of poverty in his society. He felt very strongly about this and about other areas where change was needed, like education. This kind of outspoken criticism was not well liked by the rulers of France and, eventually, the emperor – Napoleon III – told Victor Hugo to leave Paris and not return; in other words, he sent him into exile.
So Victor Hugo was forced to reside in other parts of Europe. Guernsey was actually his third place of exile and he landed there in 1855. He produced a lot while on Guernsey – including Les Miserables – and to do this, he had to spend a great deal of time in the home that he had there. This was a property that he bought using the money he’d made in France from the publication of a collection of his poetry. It was the only property he ever owned, and he was very proud of it.
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The property Victor Hugo bought on Guernsey was a large, five-storey house in the capital town of St Peter Port and he lived there for 15 years, returning to France in 1870 when Napoleon’s Empire collapsed. He decorated and furnished each level, or floor, of the house in unique and wonderful ways, and many people consider the inside of the house to be a ‘work of art’. Today it’s a museum that attracts 200,000 visitors a year.
He lived in the house with his family … and portraits of its members still hang in rooms on the ground floor, along with drawings that he did during his travels that he felt were important to him. In other ground-floor rooms, there are huge tapestries that he would have designed and loved. The walls are covered in dark wood panelling that Victor Hugo created himself using wooden furniture that he bought in the market. The items were relatively inexpensive, and he used them to create intricate carvings. They gave an atmosphere on the lower level that was shadowy and rather solemn.
On the next level of the house there are two impressive lounges, where he entertained his guests. One lounge has entirely red furnishings, such as sofas and wall coverings, and the other blue. There’s a strong Chinese influence in these areas in things like the wallpaper pattern and the lamps – which he would have made himself by copying original versions.
His library, where he left many of his favourite books, forms the hallway to the third floor and was a comfortable area where he could relax and enjoy his afternoons. And then, at the very top of the house, there’s a room called the Lookout – called that because it looks out over the harbour. In contrast to the rather dark lower levels, it’s full of light and was like a glass office where he would write until lunchtime- often at his desk.
So, Victor Hugo was a man of many talents, but he was also true to his values. While living in his house on Guernsey, he entertained many other famous writers, but he also invited a large group of local children from the deprived areas of the island to dinner once a week. What’s more, he served them their food, which was an extraordinary gesture for the time period.
In 1927, the house was owned by his relatives, and they decided to donate it to the city of Paris. It has since been restored using photographs from the period and, as I mentioned earlier, is now a museum that is open to the public.