Working As A Lifeboat Volunteer - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 19 Academic Listening Test 2 · Part 2 · Questions 11–20
Audio
Questions
Questions 11–16 Multiple Choice (One Answer)
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Working as a lifeboat volunteer
Questions 17–18 Multiple Choice (Two Answers)
Choose TWO letters, A–E.
Questions 19–20 Multiple Choice (Two Answers)
Choose TWO letters, A–E.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q11 | A | I never really planned to be a lifeboat volunteer when I came to live in Northsea. I’d been working in London as a website designer, but although that was interesting, I didn’t like city life. I’d been really keen on boats as a teenager, and I thought if I went to live by the sea, I might be able to pursue that interest a bit more in my free time. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that David used to live in London and worked as a website designer. He found city life hard and was not happy. When he moved to Northsea, he wanted to live by the sea because he liked boats when he was younger. He thought he could enjoy this hobby more in his free time. Answer Explanation: The answer says that David left London and moved to Northsea because he wanted to develop a hobby. This means he wanted to have more time to do something he liked, which in this case is being close to boats. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the transcript shows that David didn't like city life and wanted to be by the sea to enjoy his interest in boats more. This means he wanted to develop a hobby related to boats. |
| Q12 | B | It was built 15 years ago with funds provided by a generous member of the public, who’d lived here all her life. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that the Lifeboat Institution was built 15 years ago. The money to build it came from a kind person who lived in the area her whole life. Answer Explanation: The answer 'B' means that a local resident helped provide the money for the Lifeboat Institution. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'B' because the excerpt says that the funds came from a 'member of the public' who lived in the area, which means she was a local resident. |
| Q13 | A | They gave me tests for colour blindness and they thought I might have a problem there, but it turned out I was OK. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript talks about David's health checks. He had tests to see if he couldn't see colors well. The doctors thought he might have a problem with this, but in the end, they found out he could see colors normally. Answer Explanation: The answer says that David might be color blind, which means he could have trouble seeing some colors. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A, because the excerpt shows that there was a worry about David's color vision, but it turned out he was okay. This means that the concern was about being color blind. |
| Q14 | B | When the coastguard gets an alert, all the volunteers are contacted and rush to the lifeboat station. Our target’s to get there in five minutes, then we try to get the boat off the dock and out to sea in another six to eight minutes. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that when the coastguard sends a message, all the volunteers get called and hurry to the lifeboat station. They try to arrive in five minutes. After that, they want to launch the boat from the dock to go to sea in another six to eight minutes. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'B,' which means they aim to launch the boat in six to eight minutes after arriving. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'B' because the transcript mentions they try to get the boat off the dock and out to sea in that time frame (six to eight minutes). |
| Q15 | C | I’ve recently qualified as what’s called a ’helmsman’, which means I have the ultimate responsibility for the lifeboat. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that David is now a 'helmsman'. This means he is in charge of the lifeboat and has important responsibilities. Answer Explanation: The answer 'C' means that David must decide if the lifeboat should be launched, or in other words, if it should go into the water. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'C' because being a helmsman means David has the final say on whether the lifeboat goes out to help. He is responsible for making that decision. |
| Q16 | A | As well as going out on the lifeboat, my work involves other things too. A lot of people underestimate how windy conditions can change at sea, so I speak to youth groups and sailing clubs in the area about the sorts of problems that sailors and swimmers can have if the weather suddenly gets bad. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that David does more than just go out on the lifeboat. He talks to young people and sailing clubs about the dangers of bad weather at sea. Many people do not understand how quickly the weather can change when they are on water. Answer Explanation: The answer A means that David gives talks about being safe on the sea. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the transcript explains that David speaks to youth groups and sailing clubs about safety at sea. This matches with answer A about giving talks on safety. |
| Q17 | — | — | |
| Q18 | C / E | The training we get is a continuous process, focusing on technical competence and safe handling techniques, and it’s given me the confidence to deal with extreme situations without panicking. There’s a wave-tank where we could experience an overturned lifeboat scenario-so we could get experience at what to do if the boat turned over in a storm at night, for example. |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript talks about the training for lifeboat volunteers. It explains that the training helps them learn important skills and gives them confidence to handle very difficult situations without becoming scared. One part of the training includes a wave-tank where they practice how to respond if their lifeboat flips over during a storm at night. Answer Explanation: The answer says that two things David mentions about the training are that it helps make him mentally stronger and that he practiced survival techniques in the wave tank. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C and E because the excerpt shows that the training builds confidence and helps volunteers prepare for dangerous situations, which relates to mental strength (C). It also describes the wave tank activity that helps them learn what to do for survival if a boat turns over (E). |
| Q19 | — | — | |
| Q20 | A / B | But the work’s hugely motivating. It’s not just about saving lives-I’ve learned a lot about the technology involved. My background in IT’s been useful here, and I can use my expertise to help other volunteers. They’re a great group-we’re like a family really, which helps when you’re dragging yourself out of bed on a cold stormy night. But actually, it’s the colder months that can be the most rewarding time. That’s when the incidents tend to be more serious, and you realise that you can make a huge difference to the outcome. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript talks about David's work that saves lives. He enjoys his job because he has learned a lot about the technology he works with. He also likes being with his team, who he feels are like family. Working on cold, stormy nights can be hard, but he finds it very rewarding. During colder months, the work can be more serious, and he feels he makes a big difference. Answer Explanation: The answer 'A' means David likes working with his team. The answer 'B' means he finds working in the winter very rewarding. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'A' and 'B' because in the transcript, David says he enjoys being part of a team (like a family) and that the colder months are when he feels his work is most rewarding. |
Transcript
I never really planned to be a lifeboat volunteer when I came to live in Northsea. I’d been working in London as a website designer, but although that was interesting, I didn’t like city life. I’d been really keen on boats as a teenager, and I thought if I went to live by the sea, I might be able to pursue that interest a bit more in my free time. Then I found that the Lifeboat Institution was looking for volunteers, so I decided to apply.
The Lifeboat Institution building here in Northsea’s hard to miss; it’s one of the largest in the country. It was built 15 years ago with funds provided by a generous member of the public, who’d lived here all her life. As the Lifeboat Institution is a charity that relies on that kind of donation, rather than funding provided by the government, that kind of help is much needed.
When I applied, I had to have a health assessment. The doctors were particularly interested in my vision. I used to be short-sighted, so I’d had to wear glasses, but I’d had laser eye surgery two years earlier so that was OK. They gave me tests for colour blindness and they thought I might have a problem there, but it turned out I was OK.
When the coastguard gets an alert, all the volunteers are contacted and rush to the lifeboat station. Our target’s to get there in five minutes, then we try to get the boat off the dock and out to sea in another six to eight minutes. Our team’s proud that we usually achieve that – the average time across the country’s eight and a half minutes.
I’ve recently qualified as what’s called a ’helmsman’, which means I have the ultimate responsibility for the lifeboat. I have to check that the equipment we use is in working order – the crew have special life jackets that can support up to four people in the water. And it’s ultimately my decision whether it’s safe to launch the boat. But it’s very rare not to launch it, even in the worst weather.
As well as going out on the lifeboat, my work involves other things too. A lot of people underestimate how windy conditions can change at sea, so I speak to youth groups and sailing clubs in the area about the sorts of problems that sailors and swimmers can have if the weather suddenly gets bad. We also have a lot of volunteers who organise activities to raise money for us, and we couldn’t manage without them.
The training we get is a continuous process, focusing on technical competence and safe handling techniques, and it’s given me the confidence to deal with extreme situations without panicking. We had to do a fire and sea survival test first, and that’s a big help with the casualty care activities we do. We’ve done a lot on how to deal with ropes and tie knots – that’s an essential skill. After a year, I did a one-week residential course, led by specialists. There’s a wave-tank where we could experience an overturned lifeboat scenario-so we could get experience at what to do if the boat turned over in a storm at night, for example.
Since I started, I’ve had to deal with a range of emergency situations.
But the work’s hugely motivating. It’s not just about saving lives-I’ve learned a lot about the technology involved. My background in IT’s been useful here, and I can use my expertise to help other volunteers. They’re a great group-we’re like a family really, which helps when you’re dragging yourself out of bed on a cold stormy night. But actually, it’s the colder months that can be the most rewarding time. That’s when the incidents tend to be more serious, and you realise that you can make a huge difference to the outcome.
So if any of you listeners are interested…