Woolly Mammoths On St Paul’s Island - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 14 Academic Listening Test 2 · Part 3 · Questions 21–30
Audio
Questions
Questions 21–24 Multiple Choice (One Answer)
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Woolly mammoths on St Paul’s Island
Questions 25–30 Matching
What action will the students take for each of the following sections of their presentation?
Choose SIX answers from the box and write the correct letter, A-H, next to Questions.
Actions
A make it more interactive
B reduce visual input
C add personal opinions
D contact one of the researchers
E make detailed notes
F find information online
G check timing
H organise the content more clearly
Sections of presentation
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q21 | B | it could be a timeline to show when they lived, with illustrations? | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript suggests that the presentation may involve showing when woolly mammoths lived using a timeline and possibly with illustrations. Answer Explanation: The answer indicates that Rosie and Martin will introduce their presentation with a timeline showing when woolly mammoths lived. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer (B) aligns with the excerpt as it mentions using a timeline, which corresponds to the idea of showing when woolly mammoths lived. This matches the context provided in the excerpt. |
| Q22 | C | Well the mammoth bones previously found on the North American mainland were much less recent than that. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript mentions that mammoth bones found on the North American mainland were older than the mammoth tooth found on St. Paul's Island. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the mammoth tooth found by Russell Graham was not as old as other mammoth remains found in different locations. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'C' because the excerpt states that the mammoth tooth found on St. Paul's Island was not as old as mammoth remains found elsewhere, indicating that it was not as ancient as other mammoth fossils. |
| Q23 | A | So those mammoths on the island couldn’t escape; they had to stay on the island. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the mammoths on the island were unable to leave; they were trapped on the island. Answer Explanation: The answer indicates that the mammoths became isolated on the island. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'A' because the excerpt clearly states that the mammoths couldn't escape, which led to them being isolated on the island with no way to leave. |
| Q24 | A | They concluded that the extinction happened 5,600 years ago, which is a very precise time for a prehistoric extinction. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript mentions that scientists determined the woolly mammoths' extinction on St. Paul's Island precisely at 5,600 years ago. Answer Explanation: The answer choice 'A' refers to how exact the date of the mammoths' extinction is according to the scientists. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'A' because the excerpt explicitly states that the extinction date of the mammoths, 5,600 years ago, is very precise for an event that occurred in prehistoric times. |
| Q25 | E | I think we need to write down all the ideas we want to include here | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript suggests that it is important to write down all the ideas that the students want to include in their presentation. Answer Explanation: The answer indicates that the students should make detailed notes for the introduction section of their presentation. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'E' because making detailed notes will help the students organize their ideas effectively and ensure they cover all the necessary information for the introduction section of their presentation. |
| Q26 | D | I thought maybe we could get in touch with the researcher who led the team and ask him to tell us a bit more. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript suggests that the students are proposing to contact the researcher who discovered the mammoth tooth to learn more. Answer Explanation: The answer indicates that the students will contact one of the researchers involved in the discovery of the mammoth tooth. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'D' because the excerpt explicitly mentions the idea of reaching out to the researcher ('get in touch with the researcher who led the team') for additional information about the discovery. This action aligns with the text provided, making it the most suitable choice. |
| Q27 | A | We could ask the audience to suggest some questions about it and then see how many of them we can answer. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript mentions that the students can ask the audience to suggest questions about the topic and then try to answer them. Answer Explanation: The answer indicates that the students should make the presentation more interactive by involving the audience in asking questions. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'A' because it aligns with the suggestion in the excerpt to engage the audience by inviting their questions, therefore making the presentation more interactive. |
| Q28 | H | Yes, maybe it would be better if it followed a chronological pattern. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript suggests that organizing the content of the presentation in a chronological order could be a better approach. Answer Explanation: The answer 'H' means that the students should organize the content of the further research carried out on the island section of their presentation more clearly. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'H' because by following a chronological order, the information about the further research on the island can be presented in a clear and structured manner, making it easier for the audience to follow and understand. |
| Q29 | G | we need to practice it so we’re sure it won’t overrun. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript means that the students need to practice their presentation to ensure that it doesn't take longer than planned. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the students should check the timing of their presentation to make sure it fits within the allotted time. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'G' because the excerpt mentions the need to practice the presentation so it doesn't overrun, indicating the importance of timing and ensuring the presentation is delivered within the set timeframe. |
| Q30 | C | give your own viewpoint. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript is saying that you should share your own thoughts. Answer Explanation: The answer means to provide your personal opinions. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'C' because 'add personal opinions' aligns with the idea of giving your own viewpoint mentioned in the excerpt. By including personal opinions, the students can make the presentation more engaging and relevant to the audience by offering unique perspectives. |
Transcript
TUTOR: So, Rosie and Martin, let’s look at what you’ve got for your presentation on woolly mammoths.
ROSIE: OK, we’ve got a short outline here.
TUTOR: Thanks. So it’s about a research project in North America?
MARTIN: Yes. But we thought we needed something general about woolly mammoths in our introduction, to establish that they were related to our modern elephant, and they lived thousands of years ago in the last ice age.
ROSIE: Maybe we could show a video clip of a cartoon about mammoths. But that’d be a bit childish. Or we could have a diagram, it could be a timeline to show when they lived, with illustrations?
MARTIN: Or we could just show a drawing of them walking in the ice? No, let’s go with your last suggestion.
TUTOR: Good. Then you’re describing the discovery of the mammoth tooth on St Paul’s Island in Alaska, and why it was significant.
ROSIE: Yes. The tooth was found by a man called Russell Graham. He picked it up from under a rock in a cave. He knew it was special – for a start it was in really good condition, as if it had been just extracted from the animal’s jawbone. Anyway, they found it was 6,500 years old.
TUTOR: So why was that significant?
ROSIE: Well the mammoth bones previously found on the North American mainland were much less recent than that. So this was really amazing.
MARTIN: Then we’re making an animated diagram to show the geography of the area in prehistoric times. So originally, St Paul’s Island wasn’t an island, it was connected to the mainland, and mammoths and other animals like bears were able to roam around the whole area.
ROSIE: Then the climate warmed up and the sea level began to rise, and the island got cut off from the mainland. So those mammoths on the island couldn’t escape; they had to stay on the island.
MARTIN: And in fact the species survived there for thousands of years after they’d become extinct on the mainland.
TUTOR: So why do you think they died out on the mainland?
ROSIE: No one’s sure.
MARTIN: Anyway, next we’ll explain how Graham and his team identified the date when the mammoths became extinct on the island. They concluded that the extinction happened 5,600 years ago, which is a very precise time for a prehistoric extinction. It’s based on samples they took from mud at the bottom of a lake on the island. They analysed it to find out what had fallen in over time – bits of plants, volcanic ash and even DNA from the mammoths themselves. It’s standard procedure, but it took nearly two years to do.
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TUTOR: So why don’t you quickly go through the main sections of your presentation and discuss what action’s needed for each part?
MARTIN: OK. So for the introduction, we’re using a visual, so once we’ve prepared that we’re done.
ROSIE: I’m not sure. I think we need to write down all the ideas we want to include here, not just rely on memory. How we begin the presentation is so important …
MARTIN: You’re right.
ROSIE: The discovery of the mammoth tooth is probably the most dramatic part, but we don’t have that much information, only what we got from the online article. I thought maybe we could get in touch with the researcher who led the team and ask him to tell us a bit more.
MARTIN: Great idea. What about the section with the initial questions asked by the researchers? We’ve got a lot on that but we need to make it interesting.
ROSIE: We could ask the audience to suggest some questions about it and then see how many of them we can answer. I don’t think it would take too long.
TUTOR: Yes that would add a bit of variety.
MARTIN: Then the section on further research carried out on the island – analysing the mud in the lake. I wonder if we’ve actually got too much information here, should we cut some?
ROSIE: I don’t think so, but it’s all a bit muddled at present.
MARTIN: Yes, maybe it would be better if it followed a chronological pattern.
ROSIE: I think so. The findings and possible explanations section is just about ready, but we need to practice it so we’re sure it won’t overrun.
MARTIN: I think it should be OK, but yes, let’s make sure.
TUTOR: In the last section, relevance to the present day, you’ve got some good ideas but this is where you need to move away from the ideas of others and give your own viewpoint.
MARTIN: OK, we’ll think about that. Now shall we …