Writing Tutorial Service - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Collins Practice Tests For IELTS 2 Academic Listening Test 2 · Part 3 · Questions 21–30
Audio
Questions
Questions 21–25 Multiple Choice (One Answer)
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Questions 26–30 Note Completion
Complete the sentences below.
Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS or A NUMBER for each answer.
Writing Tutorial Service
Get feedback on your academic writing skills!
Send us a piece of work along with a completed 26.
The team may not be familiar with your subject, so try one of the general 27 you will find on our webpage.
When applying for a tutorial, tell us when you are 28.
We usually arrange to see you within 29 of receiving your application.
Under normal circumstances, students will be able to meet the team once every 30.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q21 | C | I've got a free day on Wednesday, which is good, and lectures and tutorials on the other four days | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Kevin saying that Wednesday is a day off for him, while he spends the remaining four days of the week attending lectures and tutorials. Answer Explanation: The answer means that Kevin attends his university classes on four separate days each week. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is supported by Kevin's description of his weekly schedule. He mentions that he does not have any classes on Wednesday, calling it a 'free day'. He then clarifies that his 'lectures and tutorials' (which are types of university classes) take place on the 'other four days' of the school week. Since he has classes on those four remaining days, he has lectures four days a week. |
| Q22 | C | I've been back home on one occasion since I started in September, but it's so expensive to get down to London by train that I can can't go very often | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that Kevin went home one time (on one occasion) after starting his university course in September. Answer Explanation: The answer means that Kevin went to visit his family and his house only one time. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because Kevin uses the phrase 'on one occasion,' which means he went home one time. He mentions that he started his course in September, and while he says the train is expensive, he still managed to go home once. In English, 'on one occasion' is a synonym for 'once.' |
| Q23 | B | On campus, in halls of residence. It's not as cheap as renting a room in a house but I thought it would be a good way of meeting new students | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that Kevin lives in a building for students on the university grounds. He knows it is more expensive than a private house, but he believes it is a great place to find and talk to new people. Answer Explanation: The answer B means that Kevin chose his home on campus because it helps him make new friends. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because Kevin specifically says he chose to live in the halls of residence to meet other students. In English, 'meeting new students' is another way to say 'getting to know people.' He also mentions that being 'in and out of the kitchen' makes it easy to 'socialise,' which means to spend time talking and being friendly with others. Note that he says halls are NOT as cheap as renting a house, so choice A is wrong, and he says it is NOT difficult to socialise in the kitchen, so choice C is also wrong. |
| Q24 | B | There's the Film Society, and a tutor recommended the Spanish Society, so I've signed up for that too | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that Kevin decided to join the Spanish Society after receiving a recommendation from his teacher. Answer Explanation: The answer means Kevin joined the club because a teacher gave him the idea or suggested it would be a good choice. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because Kevin mentions that a tutor suggested the group to him. In English, when someone 'recommends' something, they are telling you that they think it is good and that you should try it. Therefore, choice B correctly summarizes that someone (the tutor) told him it was good. |
| Q25 | A | You have so much more freedom to make your own decisions here, so it's important to structure your time to factor in time for studies | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that because students can make their own choices at university, they need to plan their day carefully to make sure they have time to study. Answer Explanation: The answer means that university students are free to make their own choices and do not have someone telling them what to do all the time. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the tutor says that at university, students have a lot of "freedom" to make their own "decisions." This is the same thing as having "independence." Because students have this freedom, the tutor explains they must "structure" or plan their time carefully to make sure they finish their schoolwork. |
| Q26 | application form | To join, just fill in the application form and give them a sample of your work | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that to use the writing help service, a student needs to finish a document called an application form and also provide a piece of their writing as an example. Answer Explanation: The answer is the document called an application form that Kevin must finish filling out to join the writing service. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'application form' because the tutor explains that to join the Writing Tutorial Service, Kevin needs to complete this specific document and provide a sample of his writing. The transcript uses the phrase 'fill in' which means to complete, and mentions the 'application form' as the required paperwork to send along with his work. |
| Q27 | topics | They won't give you feedback on a complete essay, I'm afraid, as they may not be subject experts. It's really aimed at developing your academic writing skills. Ideally, you should write something between 1,000 to 1,500 words. If you find their page on the university website, they've got a list of general topics you can try | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that because the team is not experts in specific subjects, they provide a list of common subjects (topics) on their website for students to use when practicing their writing. Answer Explanation: The answer is the word 'topics', which refers to the list of general subjects or themes you can choose to write about for the service. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'topics' because the tutor explains that the Writing Tutorial Service staff are not 'subject experts' and might not know about Kevin's specific field of study. Therefore, the tutor suggests that instead of using a school essay, Kevin should choose a subject from a list of 'general topics' available on the university's website. This matches the sentence in the task about choosing from the webpage. |
| Q28 | available | Don't forget to state when you're available for tutorials on the form | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript tells the student to write down the times he is free on the application paper so the teachers know when they can see him. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the student should tell the office which days and times they are free to meet for a lesson. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is correct because the tutor tells Kevin how to fill out the form for the Writing Tutorial Service. The tutor specifically mentions that the student needs to 'state when you're available,' which means providing information about their free time so an appointment can be matched to their schedule. In this context, 'available' is a keyword that describes having the time to attend a meeting. |
| Q29 | a week / one week / 1 week | It usually takes about one week from when they first receive your essay to arrange an appointment | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that it takes about seven days from the moment the team gets your written work to set up a time to talk with you. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the time you usually have to wait for a meeting after sending your application is seven days (one week). Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is one week because the tutor clearly explains the timeline for the Writing Tutorial Service. The sentence in the task asks how long it takes to see the team after 'receiving your application,' which matches the tutor's mention of when they 'first receive your essay.' The phrase 'one week' is the specific duration provided in the transcript. |
| Q30 | term | You're usually given one tutorial a term but they may offer you further sessions if they think you need them | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that students normally get one private teaching session during each school period, though more might be available if the student needs extra help. Answer Explanation: The answer term refers to a specific period of time during a school year, similar to a semester. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is term because the tutor explains how often students can meet with the Writing Tutorial Service. He mentions that a student is usually allowed one session per school period. In British English, these periods are called terms. The phrase once every term in the task matches the tutor's phrase one tutorial a term. |
Transcript
Tutor: Anyway, as this is our first session, I'd just like to find out how you're settling in, how your Spanish course is going - basically, anything you feel you need to talk about.
Kevin: I'm OK, I suppose. I'm settling into my studies and I'm finding the course interesting. I've got a free day on Wednesday, which is good, and lectures and tutorials on the other four days. Yeah, I'm getting into the swing of things. I'm just missing home a little, that's all.
Tutor: OK. Well, if it makes you feel any better, I reckon half the students I speak with are a little homesick. It's only natural. Is this the first time you've lived away from home?
Kevin: Yes. I was thinking just this morning that I've never spent so long away from my friends and family before. I've been back home on one occasion since I started in September, but it's so expensive to get down to London by train that I can can't go very often.
Tutor: Well, don't be too hard on yourself, Kevin. It's quite a lot to deal with at first, isn't it? Moving to a new city, being responsible for everything for the first time ever, shopping, cooking, etc. Then making new friends, and then there's your studies, of course, and getting organised. Are you living on campus or in town?
Kevin: On campus, in halls of residence. It's not as cheap as renting a room in a house but I thought it would be a good way of meeting new students. We're all in and out of the kitchen during the day, so it's not difficult to socialise. Like you say, I'm just a bit homesick.
Tutor: I'm sure that you'll find things get better over the next few weeks. Everything's new for you at the moment and a little overwhelming. But you'll get into a routine and start to feel more settled. What about Freshers' Week? Did you sign up for anything?
Kevin: Yes. I've joined a couple of groups. There's the Film Society, and a tutor recommended the Spanish Society, so I've signed up for that too. I've volunteered to help out on their International Food Day - making snacks, that kind of thing. And I'm looking forward to getting to know other members.
Tutor: You said earlier you were finding your studies OK, so that's good as well. The main thing to remember is to try to be as organised as possible. You have so much more freedom to make your own decisions here, so it's important to structure your time to factor in time for studies. If you're on top of your work, you'll feel much more able to enjoy your free time.
Kevin: Um, I was hoping you could help me with my essay writing. I seem to be spending ages writing and re-writing essays and, well, ...
Tutor: The best bet is for you to sign up to the university Writing Tutorial Service. They have people who are in place to support students specifically with these problems. To join, just fill in the application form and give them a sample of your work.
Kevin: Brilliant! I didn't know anything about that. Can I give them one of my essays to look at?
Tutor: They won't give you feedback on a complete essay, I'm afraid, as they may not be subject experts. It's really aimed at developing your academic writing skills. Ideally, you should write something between 1,000 to 1,500 words. If you find their page on the university website, they've got a list of general topics you can try.
Kevin: So do I just turn up? Or do I need to make an appointment? I've got an essay deadline coming up soon, so I'd like to get help as soon as possible.
Tutor: You'll need to arrange an appointment. The first step is to sign up for the service. Download the application form and essay title from the webpage. Don't forget to state when you're available for tutorials on the form. Email the essay and form to the team and they'll get back to you with an appointment time. It usually takes about one week from when they first receive your essay to arrange an appointment. You're usually given one tutorial a term but they may offer you further sessions if they think you need them.
Kevin: OK, I'll do that. Thanks for your help.