Writing for Radio - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Expert On Cambridge IELTS 07 Academic Listening Test 4 · Part 4 · Questions 31–40
Audio
Questions
Questions 31–33 Sentence Completion
Complete the sentences below.
Write NO MORE THAN ONE WORD for each answer.
- You may have to ignore some of the ordinary 31 of writing.
- Written words do not indicate things like emphasis, the 32 of reading or where to pause.
- A script needs to sound like a 33.
Questions 34–40 Note Completion
Complete the notes below.
Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.
Know who you are talking to
Imagine a typical listener:
e.g. imagine telling your 34 about a film.
Create an informal tone:
e.g. use words like 35
Work out what you are going to say
Remember: listeners cannot ask questions
you cannot 36 ideas
Make your script logical:
37 the information.
Use concrete images e.g. compare the size of a field to a 38
Use the 39 to get attention.
Check the script by 40.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q31 | rules | writing as we speak involves abandoning many of the normal 'rules' of writing that have been taught to us from an early age | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that when we write the way we talk, we must leave behind or stop following many standard writing rules we learned when we were young. Answer Explanation: The answer "rules" refers to instructions, principles, or standard guidelines that show people how writing is usually done. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "rules" because the speaker mentions that writing for radio means "abandoning many of the normal 'rules' of writing." In the sentence, "ignore" matches the meaning of "abandoning," and "ordinary" matches "normal." |
| Q32 | speed | they don't tell you what to emphasise, what speed something should be read at, or where the pauses should come, so these have to be indicated in a script | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that regular written words do not show the speaker how fast to read, what words to stress, or when to stop and take a pause. Answer Explanation: The answer "speed" refers to how fast or slow a person speaks or reads. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "speed" because the speaker explains that normal written words do not show how they should be spoken. Specifically, written words do not show "what to emphasise" (emphasis), "what speed something should be read at" (the speed of reading), or "where the pauses should come" (where to pause). Therefore, "speed" accurately completes the blank. |
| Q33 | conversation | needs to sound as if it is coming from the mind of the speaker - almost like part of a conversation - rather than something that is being read | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that words spoken on the radio should feel natural, like someone talking in a casual chat, rather than someone reading words off a page. Answer Explanation: The answer means a natural talk or chat between two or more people. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "conversation" because the speaker discusses how words spoken on the radio should come across to listeners. The speaker states that whatever is said on the radio needs to sound "almost like part of a conversation" instead of sounding like a text being read aloud. Therefore, "conversation" accurately fills the gap after "sound like a". |
| Q34 | grandmother | If you're writing a film review for a local audience, for example, think about how you would tell your grandmother about the film | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that when you write a review of a movie, you should imagine explaining it directly to your grandmother. Answer Explanation: The answer means the mother of your father or mother. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "grandmother" because the speaker gives an example of visualizing an audience member when writing a film review. The speaker says to imagine how you would describe or tell your "grandmother" about the film. |
| Q35 | us and we / us we | So your tone needs to be informal - rather than using impersonal words like 'listeners' or 'the audience', you can make it more informal include them in what you're saying by referring to 'us' and 'we' |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that to sound friendly and casual, you should talk to listeners as part of the group using the words 'us' and 'we'. Answer Explanation: The answer means using the everyday words "us" and "we". Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is supported by the speaker's advice on how to create an informal tone. The speaker explains that instead of using distant, formal words, you should make your tone more informal by including the audience and referring to 'us' and 'we'. |
| Q36 | repeat | Don't forget that the person listening to you has no opportunity to ask questions, and in the same way, you can't repeat what you've just said | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that radio listeners are unable to stop you and ask questions, and you cannot say your words a second time for them. Answer Explanation: The answer "repeat" means to say or state something again. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "repeat" because the speaker points out two key limitations of radio: the listener cannot ask questions, and the presenter cannot say things again. In the notes, "listeners cannot ask questions" corresponds directly to "the person listening to you has no opportunity to ask questions", followed by "you cannot repeat", matching "you can't repeat what you've just said". |
| Q37 | space out / space | Too many facts too close together will cause confusion, so space them out evenly | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that giving too much information at the same time will confuse listeners, so writers should spread out the facts. Answer Explanation: The answer means to spread the details or facts over time so they are not crowded together. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "space (out)" because the speaker explains how to keep a script logical and clear. In the recording, the speaker mentions that sharing too many facts at once can confuse the listener, so the writer should "space them out evenly". In this context, "facts" matches "information" in the notes. |
| Q38 | football pitch | For example, instead of giving the physical dimensions of a field, describe it as being the size of, say, a football pitch; if you're talking about a tall building, relate it to - perhaps - a ten-storey block of flats | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that when talking about the size of a field, you can help people imagine it by comparing it to the size of a football pitch. Answer Explanation: The answer refers to a soccer field or ground used for playing football. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "football pitch" because the speaker advises using clear images to help listeners picture descriptions. As an example, the speaker suggests that instead of giving exact measurements of a field, one should describe it as having the size of a "football pitch". |
| Q39 | first sentence | Now, all scripts need something that will grab the attention of the listener. You need something that will make them say, 'Hey, I want to stop and listen to this.' So the first sentence has to do this for you | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that every radio script must catch the audience's interest right away, and it is the very first sentence that must perform this job. Answer Explanation: The answer means the opening line of words in your writing. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "first sentence" because the speaker discusses how to "grab the attention of the listener" (which means to get attention). The speaker directly explains that "the first sentence has to do this for you" by being interesting and intriguing to make the listener stop and listen. |
| Q40 | reading it aloud / reading aloud | After you've finished your script you need to polish it up and the most effective method of doing this is by reading it aloud | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that when you finish writing your text, the best way to improve and review it is to read it out loud. Answer Explanation: The answer means speaking the written script out loud using your voice. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is supported by the speaker's advice on finalizing the script. In the notes, the phrase 'Check the script by' matches the speaker saying 'you need to polish it up'. The speaker states that the best way to do this is 'by reading it aloud'. |
Transcript
We're going to move on today to look at some of the key principles of writing for radio.
Of course the main thing that you have to remember is that a radio script is not written to be read, but to be spoken and heard. Now putting this into practice is more difficult than it seems because writing as we speak involves abandoning many of the normal 'rules' of writing that have been taught to us from an early age. This is because we need to concentrate on how the piece sounds. Written words convey information, but they don't convey the full meaning of what you want to say... they don't tell you what to emphasise, what speed something should be read at, or where the pauses should come, so these have to be indicated in a script.
Whatever is said on radio - whether it's a link to a magazine programme, a film review, or even a voice piece in the news - needs to sound as if it is coming from the mind of the speaker - almost like part of a conversation - rather than something that is being read.
Before you begin to write, it's a good idea to know who you're talking to, to visualise a typical member of the radio station's audience. If you're writing a film review for a local audience, for example, think about how you would tell your grandmother about the film, or if you're reviewing a pop concert, think about how you would tell your friend about the band.
The words have much more impact if each person feels they are being spoken to directly. So your tone needs to be informal - rather than using impersonal words like 'listeners' or 'the audience', you can make it more informal... include them in what you're saying by referring to 'us' and 'we'.
Once you know who you're talking to, the next thing is to work out what you're going to say. Don't forget that the person listening to you has no opportunity to ask questions, and in the same way, you can't repeat what you've just said. For these reasons it's important that your script is logical and progresses smoothly.
Too many facts too close together will cause confusion, so space them out evenly. The best scripts allow listeners to visualise what you're describing. For example, instead of giving the physical dimensions of a field, describe it as being the size of, say, a football pitch; if you're talking about a tall building, relate it to - perhaps - a ten-storey block of flats.
Now, all scripts need something that will grab the attention of the listener. You need something that will make them say, 'Hey, I want to stop and listen to this.' So the first sentence has to do this for you... it needs to be intriguing, interesting - and then it needs to be backed up by a second sentence that explains what you're talking about. The last sentence should also give your listeners food for thought and can be in the form of a question, or a statement that sums up the item.
After you've finished your script you need to polish it up and the most effective method of doing this is by reading it aloud. This also helps you to avoid tongue twisters or words that you might find awkward to pronounce.