giao trinh 56

Body 1

In my opinion, three main factors - Specify three factors causing be-

are to blame for the way young peo- havioural problems

ple behave at school nowadays. (1) - Are to blame for/are responsible for

is a nice phrase to use when listing

reasons.

Firstly, modern parents tend to be - Use “tend to be” instead of “are” -

too lenient or permissive. (2) Lenient or permissive (catering to

children demand, even if it’s unrea-

sonable)

Many children become accustomed - Become accustomed to = become

to getting whatever they want, and used to; To find it difficult to do sth

they find it difficult to accept the - Accept the demands of teachers

demand of teachers or the limits & the limits imposed on them by

imposed on them by school rules. school rules - If …cannot…., there

(3) must be

Secondly, if teachers cannot control - Issue with quality of classroom
their students, there must be an is- management training & support
sue with the quality of classroom within schools
management training or support
within schools. (4)

Finally, children are influenced by - Influenced by the behavior of ce-

the behavior of celebrities, many of lebrities, many of whom

whom set the example that success - To set an example

can be achieved without finishing - Success can be achieved without

schools. (5) finishing schools

GIÁO TRÌNH IELTS 56 51

Body 2

Student behavior can certainly be - Instead of saying “many solutions,

improved. (1) a number of solutions”, another way

to assert that the problem can be

solved.

I believe that the change must start - Note that “parents” is followed

with parents, who need to be per- by a comma (same as celebrities

suaded that it is important to set above) because it can make sense

firm rules for their children . (2) on its own without the subsequent

phrase.

- Need to be persuaded that; Set

firm rules

When children misbehave or break - “when…, …. should/need to…” is a

the rules, parents should use reason- relatively easy structure to use

able punishments to demonstrate - Misbehave or break the rules,

that actions have consequences. (3) - Reasonable punishments to

demonstrate that actions have con-

sequences.

Also, schools could play an import- - Plays an important role in

ant role in training both teachers - In training …., and in improving

and parents to use effective disci- parallel structure

plinary techniques, and in improv- - Effective disciplinary techniques;

ing communication between both communication between both

groups. (4) groups

At the same time, famous people, - “Famous people” – paraphrase of

such as musicians and football play- “celebrities”

ers, need to understand the respon- - Understand the responsibility that

sibility that they have to act as role they have to act as role models to

models for children (5) children

52 IZONE - IELTS TRAINING ACADEMY

In conclusion, schools will continue - The use of “….will…. unless” is a

to face discipline problems unless good way to say what will happen

parents, teachers and public figures if actions are not taken (to show the

set clear rules and demonstrate the ramifications)

right behavior themselves. - The three groups involved in the

Problem and Solution paragraphs

are summarized; celebrities = fa-

mous people = public figures

- To set clear rules and demonstrate

the right behaviour

Exercise 1: Identify the flow of the two body paragraphs above

Body 1:
Sentence 1: ________________________________________________________
Sentence 2: ________________________________________________________
Sentence 3: ________________________________________________________
Sentence 4: ________________________________________________________
Sentence 5: ________________________________________________________

Body 2:
Sentence 1: ________________________________________________________
Sentence 2: ________________________________________________________
Sentence 3: ________________________________________________________
Sentence 4: ________________________________________________________
Sentence 5: ________________________________________________________

GIÁO TRÌNH IELTS 56 53

Exercise 2: Identify cohesive devices (the linking words, signposts
& pronouns of the paragraph above)

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

1 Two-part questions

What is it?
● Usually some background information is given.
● Then, two separate questions are presented.
● The writer’s task is to:
➔ Answer each question respectively
➔ Expand the answer to each question in the corresponding
paragraph.

Tips for a well-written opinion essay
● Typically use the “firstly, secondly, finally” structure, but you may
want to use a different set of signposts for different paragraphs.
● Identify the questions carefully, each part of the question may ask
for more than one thing.
● Each one of your paragraphs should deal with one question, even
if that question has two parts.
● It is ok to use “I believe…” or “in my opinion…” for this type of essay.

54 IZONE - IELTS TRAINING ACADEMY

Typical opinion/argue questions – The task

● What factors do you think influence these decisions?
● Yes/No questions: do we ….? Would it be better if…..?

Case in point:
Topic 12 - News editors decide what to broadcast on television and what
to print in newspapers. What factors do you think influence these deci-
sions? Do we become used to bad news, and would it be better if more
good news was reported?

3-step planning

Step 1: read and understand the question
● Key words: news editors decide, what, broadcast, print
● Question: factors, influence, decisions; used to bad news; better if
good news reported?

Step 2: plan the structure
Introduction

● General statement: decisions about news stories
● Thesis statement: variety of factors, yes too much bad news
Body
● Body 1 – factors that influence news editors
● Body 2 –too much bad news, should report more good
Conclusion:
● Repeat the answer: difficult new choices, more positive - good news

Step 3: plan ideas for the main paragraph
Body 1 –factors that influence news editors (1)

● Interest or attract viewers/readers (2)
● Inform the public, important issues and events, in the public interest

(3)
● Pressure from owners, promote political views (4)

Note: as you can see, each paragraph is ideally 5 sentences and we have
one point missing, therefore one of the above points need to be written in
2 sentences.

GIÁO TRÌNH IELTS 56 55

Body 2 – too much bad news, should report more good (1)
● Accustomed to bad news (1)
● War, crime, natural disasters, human suffering (2)
● Desensitizes us (make use insensitive/indifferent to the bad news re-
ported) (3)
● Cynical about the world (3)
● Prefer good news(4)
● E.g. medical workers, volunteers, kindness (4)
● News to inspire us (5)

Note: as you can see, when we have more than 5 points, you can group
some of the points together.

Deployment of ideas into full essay

Introduction General statement

It is true that editors have to make - Starting with “it is true that….” – ac-

difficult decisions about which cepting the background informa-

news stories they broadcast or pub- tion given.

lish, and their choices are no doubt
influenced by a variety of factors. In - Note that in this case, the gener-
my opinion, we are exposed to too al statement also answers the first
much bad news, and I would wel- question asked.

come a greater emphasis on good Thesis statement

news. - Answer each question directly with

the use of paraphrases.

- Exposed to too much bad news;
welcome a greater emphasis on
good news.

56 IZONE - IELTS TRAINING ACADEMY

Body 1

Editors face a range of consider- - Instead of using “variety of fac-

ations when deciding what news tors…”, we use “face a range of con-

stories to focus on. (1) siderations”

- When + V-ing when we have the

same subject

Firstly, I imagine that they have to - Consider whether viewers – inter-

consider whether viewers or read- ested enough

ers will be interested enough to - Choose the television channels or

choose their television channel or newspapers over competing pro-

their newspapers over competing viders (note that both television

providers. (2) channels and newspapers are men-

tioned)

- “I imagine that…” – you’re not an

editor

Secondly, news editors have a re- Structure: news editors have…., and

sponsibility to inform the public therefore ….

about important events or issues, - Inform the public about important

and they should therefore prioritize events/issues;

stories that are in the public inter- - Prioritize stories …. In public inter-

est. (3) est

Finally, editors are probably under - Under the pressure from…..

some pressure from the owners

who employ them. (4)

- The political view is referred to as a

For example, a newspaper own- follow-up example of the “pressure”

er might have a particular political point above.

view that he or she wants to pro- - Use of “might/may/likely to…” when

mote. (5) you’re talking about a possibility.

GIÁO TRÌNH IELTS 56 57

Body 2
It seems to me that people do be- - “It seems to me that…..”; Negative
come accustomed to negative news = bad news
news. (1)

We are exposed on a daily basis to - “Exposed to….on a daily basis”…..

stories about war, crime, natural di-
sasters and tragic human suffering - War, crime….. are examples of bad
news
around the world . (2)

I believe that such repeated expo- - Repeated = continual (#continu-
sure gradually desensitizes people, ous) - Desensitize us
and we become more cynical about
the world and more skeptical that - Become more (cynical = skeptical)
we can do anything to change it. (3)

I would prefer to see more positive - See more positive news stories
news stories, such as reports of the - “such as….” + examples
work of medical staff after a natural - Work of a medical staff; kindness
disaster, or the kindness of volun- of volunteers.
teers who help in their communi-

ties. (4)

This kind of news might lead us all - A possible result of positive news

to lead better lives. (5)

In conclusion, it must be extremely - The first clause “extremely diffi-

difficult for editors to choose which cult…” answers the question on “the

new stories to present, but I’d like to factors influencing decisions….”

see a more positive approach to this - “See a more positive approach to

vital public service. this vital public service….”

58 IZONE - IELTS TRAINING ACADEMY

Exercise 1: Identify the flow of the two body paragraphs above

Body 1:
Sentence 1: ________________________________________________________
Sentence 2: ________________________________________________________
Sentence 3: ________________________________________________________
Sentence 4: ________________________________________________________
Sentence 5: ________________________________________________________

Body 2:
Sentence 1: ________________________________________________________
Sentence 2: ________________________________________________________
Sentence 3: ________________________________________________________
Sentence 4: ________________________________________________________
Sentence 5: ________________________________________________________

Exercise 2: Identify cohesive devices (the linking words, signposts
& pronouns of the paragraph above)

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

GIÁO TRÌNH IELTS 56 59

HOMEWORK

Write a full essay on the following topics
Topic 7: In the developed world, average life expectancy is increasing. What
problems will this cause for individuals and society? Suggest some mea-
sures that can be taken to reduce the impact of ageing populations
Topic 8: There are many different types of music in the world today. Why
do we need music? Is the traditional music of a country more important
than international music heard everywhere nowadays?

60 IZONE - IELTS TRAINING ACADEMY

LISTENING WEEK 1

GIÁO TRÌNH IELTS 56 61

IELTS LISTENING

How long is the Listening paper?
The Listening paper is the same in both the Academic and the General
Training modules of the IELTS test. It lasts approximately 30 minutes
and you are given an extra 10 minutes to write your answers onto a sep-
arate answer sheet.

What type of information will I hear?
The Listening paper has four separate sections. Each section is a little
more difficult than the one before. They feature speakers from a variety
of English-speaking countries. Each section has a different focus.

● In Section 1, you will hear a conversation between two people
(e.g. finding out information about travel).

● In Section 2, you will hear a monologue on a general topic
(e.g. a radio broadcast).

● In Section 3, you will hear a conversation between two or three
people in an academic context (e.g, discussing an assignment).

● In Section 4, you will hear a monologue in an academic context
(e.g. a lecture).

Will I hear the recording more than once?
It is important to remember that you will hear the recording only once.
To help you prepare, you will be given some extra time at the start of
each section. During this time, you should read the questions carefully.

How is the Listening paper assessed?
You will be asked a total of 40 questions. In order to assess how much
of the recording you understand, the questions will usually paraphrase
(use different words with a similar meaning) the words that are in the
text.

62 IZONE - IELTS TRAINING ACADEMY

What types of questions will I need to answer?

There are 10 questions in each section, and there are a variety of ques-
tion types. For some types, you need to write words or numbers that
you hear.

● forms/notes/table/flow-chart/summary completion
● short-answer questions
● sentence completion
For other tasks, you need to choose an option from a list and write a
letter on your answer sheet.
● labelling a diagram/plan/map
● matching
● multiple choice

How do I answer the questions?

The instructions and the questions will tell you what type of information
you need to listen for, and the type of answer you need to give. Listen
carefully to any instructions you hear on the recording. Follow the in-
structions on the question paper carefully. In this unit, you will be able
to practise all of these question types.

How can I improve my Listening paper score?

You can improve your score by following the instructions carefully, and
remembering the Test Tips in this unit. This unit will also tell you the
skills you need in order to achieve your highest score. Before the test,
try to listen to accents from a variety of English-speaking countries.
Studying all aspects of English (including vocabulary and grammar)
will also help improve your IELTS score. If you make any mistakes in the
practice exercises, make sure that you listen to the recording again and
check your answers carefully in the Answer Key.

GIÁO TRÌNH IELTS 56 63

LISTENING SKILLS
I. Getting ready to listen

In this unit you will practise:

understanding the context listening for specific details
using correct spelling understanding numbers

1 Understanding the context

Test Tip
Before you do each section, you will be given 30-45 seconds to look at
the questions. Use this time to study the questions and try to predict
what you might hear.

In the introduction to the Listening section, you will be told who the peo-
ple are, what they are talking about and why. This information is called
the context. It helps you understand the topic. It is not written on the
question paper.

After the introduction, you will be given a short time to look at the ques-
tions. Studying the questions before you listen can help you predict what
the speakers will talk about.

64 IZONE - IELTS TRAINING ACADEMY

1.1 (Audio 2)

You are going to hear the introductions of four IELTS Listening sections.
Before you listen, try to predict the context by reading the questions in the
table below. Choose FOUR answers from the box and write the correct let-
ter, A-F, in the table.

Section Listening test questions context

• Total number of guests: C
1

• Susie will organise invitations and

What type of gift does the speaker recommend for a
2

child’s birthday?

The students chose this topic because
A. they have a lot of information about it.
3
B. they would like to learn more about it.

C. they think they will get a higher mark.

Aim: To assess the impact of loss of habitat on native

animals

Methods:
4

• Calculate the current numbers of native animal

species

• Study their movements by attaching

Contexts D describing a research project
A shopping for food E buying presents
B discussing an assignment F explaining how something works
C organising a party

Listen again. Decide how many speakers you will hear in each of
1.2 these sections. Try to write down who the speakers will be.

GIÁO TRÌNH IELTS 56 65

2 Using the correct spelling

In Listening Section 1, you may need to listen for the name of a person or
a place. Often, the names will be spelt out for you. You need to recognise
the letters of the English alphabet well, so that you can write the letters you
hear quickly. You will only hear the spelling once.

Any spellings that you hear will be in the context of a normal conversation,
so you need to be able to hear the difference between letters and words.

Test Tip
Always check your spelling. If you make a spelling mistake in the IELTS
Listening paper, your answer will be marked wrong.

2.1 (Audio 3) Listen and write the letters you hear.

1 ____________ 4 ____________
2 ____________ 5 ____________
3 ____________

Test Tip
Listen carefully, as there are several ways of helping people ro spell a
word without simply spelling it out. If you need to write something that
is not a name ( e.g. the registration number of a car), you may hear a
combination of numbers and letters

66 IZONE - IELTS TRAINING ACADEMY

2.2 Listen again and complete extracts a-f from the conversations.

Conversation 1
a. Is that ______________________________________ colour?
b. Yes, but ______________________________________.

Conversation 2
c. Sorry, ______________________________________ N or M?

Conversation 3
d. That’s right, ______________________________________ lower case.

Conversation 4
e. Oh, it’s the Rose Hotel, ______________________________________.

Conversation 5
f. It’s just ______________________________________.
It’s HLP 528.

Study Tip
Practise saying the letters of the English alphabet. For example, spell
words out for a friend to write down.

3 Writing numbers

In Section 1 of the Listening paper, you need to listen for specific details.

3.1 (Audio 5) Listen and circle the number you hear in each pair (a-j).

a. 1st / 3rd f. 15/50
b. $10.50 / $10.15 g. 52/62
c. 6th / 5th h. £110 / £810
d. 17 / 70 i. 31st / 33rd
e. 19 / 90 j. 22nd / 27th

GIÁO TRÌNH IELTS 56 67

3.2 Listen again and practise saying the numbers.

3.3 (Audio 6) Listen and complete the information below.

1. How much does the woman pay for her room? £ ______

2. New students need to bring $ ______

3. Garage width: ______ m height: ______m

4. How much does the woman pay for the bus tickets?

A $25 B $55 C $75

5. Party date: ______

Listen again and write the other numbers you hear and the reason
3.4

they are incorrect.

1. £80 this is the amount she paid last time

(Audio 6) Listen to extracts from four different talks and choose the
3.3 correct answer (A, B or C).

1. The survey found that the majority of students drink
A. water. B. coffee C. tea

2. What point does the speaker make about skiing?
A. A small percentage of the US is suitable for skiing.
B. A surprisingly large number of Americans like skiing.
C. A relatively small proportion of Americans have tried skiing.

3. The number of wild elephants in Africa is estimated to be at least
A. 53,000. B. 470,000. C. 690,000

4. According to the speaker, which two can weigh the same?
A. the tongue of a blue whale and an elephant
B. an elephant and a blue whale
C. a bus and an elephant

68 IZONE - IELTS TRAINING ACADEMY

II. Listening section 1: Social needs - Conversation

Section 1 of the Listening test is a conversation between two people re-
lating to social and commercial needs. It is often based on a speaker
finding out information about an event, arrangements for a job, travel
arrangements or an everyday commercial transaction, such as buying
insurance over the telephone.
There is only one conversation, but it often has phases. For example, in
the first phase, a woman phones to find out about buying theatre tick-
ets; in the second phase, she gives her name, address and credit card
details so the tickets can be posted to her. There are ten questions, and
these may use any of the Listening test formats.

Addresses and numbers

1 Address formats vary from country to country. When addresses
feature in the IELTS Listening test, they are usually in the British
format. Rewrite the lines of this address in the correct order.

a. Beaminster c. DTS BBW e. 14 Monmouth Road
b. United Kingdom d. Garner House f. Flat 3

GIÁO TRÌNH IELTS 56 69

It can be helpful to know the format of certain other types of
2

information likely to occur in the recording. For each pair in items
1-4, choose the correct format. For items 5-7, choose the option that
is not correct.

Tip
Spellings, numbers and dates are very likely to occur in Section 1. Make
sure you are confident about listening to and writing down letters of the
alphabet and numbers. Some are easily confused with each other when
heard quickly (for example, 40 and 14, or P and B). You could practise
dictating spellings and numbers with a friend.

1. credit card number 2. train-ticket price

a. 4478 3772 85749910 a. € 17.80 to go. €32.20 to return

b. 4478 3772 8574 b. €17.80 one way. €32.20 return

3. journey times

a. The journey takes three hours, 45 minutes

b. The journey takes 45 minutes and three hours.

4. decimal points

2.75 is said as…

a. two point seven live

b. two point seventy-five

5. Which one of these ways to say 6. Which one of these ways to say

the telephone number 622010 the date 23rd April is not correct?

is not correct? a. the twenty-third of April

a. six double two oh one oh b. twenty-three of April

b. six two two oh one oh c. April the twenty-third

c. six two two nought one nought d. April twenty-third

d. six two two zero one zero e. twenty-three, four

7. Which one of these ways to say the price $19.90 is not correct?
a. nineteen dollars ninety
b. nineteen dollars and ninety cents
c. nineteen ninety
d. nineteen dollars, ninety cents
e. nineteen ninety dollars

70 IZONE - IELTS TRAINING ACADEMY

Detailed information

The Listening test gets progressively more difficult, so Section 1 is the
easiest part. If you are hoping to get 6.5 or higher in the whole exam, aim
to get 100% correct in Listening Sections 1 and 2.

1 Complete the details on the form below with any example
information you wish. Base the formats on your knowledge of the
world. For example, how many digits does a credit card number
have? How long is a hotel booking likely to be? How much is a
theatre ticket likely to cost in euros? Work in pairs if possible.

Tip
Section 1 recordings are often based on exchanging information about
personal and practical details. Predicting the type of information re-
quired and knowing the usual format will help you in the exam.

Tip
Predicting the answers will help you in all parts of the Listening test.
There are two main types of prediction: predicting the type of informa-
tion required, and predicting the likely range of possible answers.

Name: ___________________________________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
Telephone number: __________________________________________________
Credit card number: __________________________ Expiry date.____ /____
Hotel booking dates: __________________________ to ____________________
Room type: __________________________

GIÁO TRÌNH IELTS 56 71

Theatre ticket prices: Stalls rows A to H: ________________
Stalls rows J to W: ________________
Circle: ________________

Start time: ________________

(Audio 15) Listen to four conversations and fill in the missing
2 information.

Name: 1. ____________________________________________________
Address 2 ____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
Telephone number: 3 _______________________________________________
Credit card number: 4 __________________________ Expiry date: 5____ /____
Hotel booking dates: 6. __________________________
Room type: 7 __________________________

Theatre ticket prices: Stalls rows A to H: 8 __________
Start time: 11__________ Stalls rows J to W: 9 __________
Circle: 10 __________

Compare the information in Exercise 2 with the information you
3 wrote in Exercise 1. What similarities do you notice?

72 IZONE - IELTS TRAINING ACADEMY

(Audio 16) Now listen to a Section 1 extract and complete this exam
4 question. Complete the form below. Write NO MORE THAN ONE

WORD AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

Englefield Hospital

Employment interview form

Job vacancy: X-ray Dept. Receptionist

Name: Jill 1 ____________

Address: Number/Street: 147 Bonham Street

Town/City: Leicester

Postcode: 2 __________

Telephone: 3 _________________

Experience: YES/NO Number of years: 4. __________

Available from: 5 ____________ June

Interview date: Thursday 16th May

Interview time: 6 ______________

Focus on formats 1: form completion
The form-completion format above can, like all the listening formats ap-
pear in any part of the Listening test, but it is especially common in Sec-
tion 1. It is likely to require details of names, addresses, times, dates, etc.
(although any type of information could be required)

GIÁO TRÌNH IELTS 56 73

TEST 1

LISTENING

SECTION 1 Questions 1-10
Questions 1-10
Complete the form below
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each
answer.

SHORT STAY ACCOMMODATION

Example Answer

Family Name: Mackinlay
First Name: 1 __________________

Country of Origin: 2 __________________

Date of Arrival: 3 __________________

Number of Tenants: 4 __________________

Length of Stay: 2 weeks

Purpose of Visit: 5 __________________

Type of Accommodation: 6 __________________

Number of Bedrooms: one or two

Car Parking: off-street and 7 _________

General Area: near the beach

Other Requirements: near 8 _________

Name of Town: 9 __________________

Client’s Email: [email protected]

Price Range: up to 10 $ ______ a week

SECTION 2 Questions 11-20
Questions 11-14
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
11. Refreshments will be served

A. at the front counter.
B. in the lobby.
C. at the back of the hall.

74 IZONE - IELTS TRAINING ACADEMY

TEST 2

LISTENING

SECTION 1 Questions 1-10
Questions 1-6
Complete the form below
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each
answer.

REQUEST FOR COMMERCIAL LEASE

Name: Mr R.Rich
Example Answer

Company: ICT Industries
Preferred location: 1 __________________

Near: 2 __________________

Size: 3 __________________

Number of staff: 4 __________________

Special needs: 5 ______________ access parking

for mobility scooter

Moving date: during month of 6_______

Questions 7-10
Complete the notes below.
Write ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.

Requirements:
• Good lift access
• Large lobby
• Removal of some 7__________
• 8 __________ too small-make bigger
• Change office near entry to storeroom
• New: - paintwork
- lights
- blinds
- 9 ____________
• Minimum length of lease 10 ___________ (with right of renewal)

GIÁO TRÌNH IELTS 56 75

TEST 3
LISTENING

SECTION 1 Questions 1-10
Questions 1-6
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.

Free activities in the Burnham area

Example
The caller wants to find out about events on
A. 27 June.
B. 28 June
C. 29 June

1. The ‘Family Welcome’ event in 4. Where will the 4 pm concert
the art gallery begins at of Latin American music take
А. 10 am place?
B. 10.30 am. A. in a museum
C. 2pm. B. in a theatre
C. in a library
2. The film that is now shown in
the ‘Family Welcome’ event is 5. The boat race begins at
about A. Summer Pool.
A. sculpture. B. Charlesworth Bridge.
B. painting. C. Offord Marina.
C. ceramics
6. One of the boat race teams
3. When do most of the free A. won a regional competition
concerts take place? earlier this year.
A. in the morning B. has represented the region in
B. at lunchtime a national competition.
C. in the evening C. has won several regional
competitions.

76 IZONE - IELTS TRAINING ACADEMY

Questions 7-10
Complete the sentences below.
Write ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.

Paxton Nature Reserve

7. Paxton is a good place for seeing rare _________________________ all year
round.

8. This is a particularly good time for seeing certain unusual
_____________________

9. Visitors will be able to learn about ___________________ and then collect
some.

10. Part of the _________________________ has been made suitable for swim-
ming.

GIÁO TRÌNH IELTS 56 77

LISTENING WEEK 2

78 IZONE - IELTS TRAINING ACADEMY

I. Following a conversation

In this unit you will practise:
- identifying the speakers
- completing notes
- completing a table

1 Identifying the speakers

For Sections 1 and 3, each speaker will have a different voice to help you
tell them apart (e.g. male/female; younger/older ). Both speakers will talk
equally, and you will hear answers from both speakers.
For Section 1, there is normally one person who has to find out informa-
tion from the other.

Test Tip
In the IELTS Listening paper, Sections 1 and 3 are conversations between
two or three people. Sections 2 and 4 are monologues with only one
main speaker. Sometimes, you may hear another speaker introducing
the talk or asking questions.

(Audio 9) You need to listen to both speakers carefully. Listen to the
1.1

rest of the conversations from 1.1 and answer the questions below.
Ignore the final column for now.

People description information wanted
older famale
travel agent The customer would like
1 information about …

customer

hotel receptionist The receptionist needs to
2 find out the guest’s …

guest

interviewer The applicant would like
3 to know about …

job applicant

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Study Tip
You will hear native speaker accents from several English speaking coun-
tries in the test. These may include British, American, Canadian, Austra-
lian, and New Zealand accents. Search online for non-commercial na-
tional radio stations in these countries, and try to listen to a variety of
them. National stations often have talk or current affairs programmes
that can help you practise for IELTS

1.2 (Audio 9) You need to listen to both speakers carefully. Listen to the
rest of the conversations from 1.1 and answer the questions below.
Ignore the final column for now.

NOTE:
travel agent

No need to book the 1 _____________ from the
customer

1 airport

The customer wants me to organise travel agent

2_____________ customer

1. How many nights will the man stay?

A. one night hotel receptionist

B. two nights guest

C. three nights
2

2. Which of the following is on the 10th floor?

A. the gym hotel receptionist

B. the business centre guest

C. the restaurant

1. Which country has the applicant worked in
interviewer

most?
job applicant

__________________________________
3

2. What department would the applicant like
interviewer

to work in?
job applicant

__________________________________

Listen again and look at the final column in the table. Circle the
1.3

person who provided the answer. Sometimes both are possible.

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2 Identifying function

Each speaker has a specific purpose in mind when they talk. We say
their language has a function. We use different languages for different
functions

2.1 (Audio 10) Listen to seven short extracts from different conversa-
tions. Complete extracts 1-7.

1. _______________________ getting her a new bike?
2. _______________________ . We arrive on 22nd July.
3. That sounds great. _______________________
4. _______________________ I’d enjoy that one.
5. You said you’d prefer to have the party outside, _______________________ ?
6. _______________________ , it’s just gone up to $250.
7. _______________________ accommodation? Where would you like to stay?

What is the function of the phrases you wrote in 2.1? Match extracts
2.2

1-7 to the correct function (A-H). There is one extra letter that you do
not need to use.

Functions E confirming
F moving to a new topic
A agreeing G checking information
B correcting H showing anger
C rejecting an idea
D suggesting

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(Audio 11) Listen to extracts from two conversations: one from
2.3

Section 1 and one from Section 3. Choose the correct answers (A, B,
or C).

Listening Section 1
1. What food do the speakers decide to prepare for the party?

A. pizza
B. sandwiches
C. hot dogs
2. What will they do next?
A. go shopping
B. decide on the music
C. sort out the invitations

Listening Section 3
3. What aspect of pollution do the students decide to concentrate on?

A. water pollution
B. air pollution
C. industrial pollution
4. What do the students decide to do next?
A. contact their tutor for more help
B. visit the library to find more resources
C. check which topic other students have chosen

2.4 Look at the phrases below. Listen again and decide whether the
phrases are in Extract 1 or Extract 2.

a. That’s a good idea, i. You’re right ...
b. Actually, I think we’re better off j. That’s right,
looking online,
c. Why don’t we ...? k. So we could just do that?
d. We could look at ... We’d better not.
e. What about a ...? m. We’d better start ...
f. Let’s ask them, n. Now, we also need to ...
g. Pizzas it is, then! o. So, what else do we need to do?
h. Shall we go to ...? p. But we always do that

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3 Understanding categories

In the Listening paper, you may be asked to complete a table. The head-
ings in the table tell you the type of information you will hear and need to
listen for. They can also help you to follow a talk or conversation.

3.1 Complete the table below with the correct words from the box.

juice picnic tent barbecue tram
coffee cabin flat theatre lemonade
coach cinema buffet concert ferry

Accommodation
Transport
Entertainment
Food
Drink

To complete a table or a set of notes or a sentence, you need to write words
that you hear in the recording. You will be told how many words to write

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(Audio 12) Listen to an extract from a conversation and answer the
3.2

question below.

Test Tip
Pay attention to the number of words you need to write. NO MORE THAN
TWO WORDS means that you may need to write one word or two words.
NO MORE THAN ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER means that if you
write two words or more, then your answer will be wrong. Each of the
following is an example of ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER: 16th June/
three books / 6.11.12 / twenty-four cats / $450.50

Complete the sentence below with NO MORE THAN ONE WORD AND/
OR A NUMBER.
The expo will be useful because there will be more than
________________________ experts there.

3.3 Now look at the answers that different candidates wrote. Tick the
correct answers. Why are the other answers incorrect?

● Two hundred and fivety computer
● 250 computer
● Two hundred and fifty computers
● Over 250 computer
● 250 computer experts
● Over 250 experts
● Two hundred and fifty computer
● 250

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II. Predicting and practising 2

General information

Section 1 doesn’t only feature detailed information such as addresses,
prices, times, etc. It normally also features questions about the general
situation in which the conversation occurs, and about the results of that
conversation. Again, predicting the type of information you will need to
listen for can help you in the exam.

1 Predict possible answers for these situations and questions

a. A student wants to insure her possessions. What does the insurance not
cover?
b. A man is looking for accommodation to rent. What type of accommo-
dation does he want?
c. Two people are choosing a restaurant for a business lunch. What’s the
most important thing about the restaurant they choose?

(Audio 17) Listen to three short extracts and complete this exam
2 question. Were your guesses in Exercise 1 close to the correct

answers?

Complete the notes below. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for
each answer.
1. Insurance does not cover: ____________________
2. Type of accommodation: ____________________
3. The most important factor in choosing the restaurant is that it must
be ____________________

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3 Look at the exam question below and answer these questions.

a. What kind of trip is it? (clues: coach,
child, school, parents )
b. What are typical destinations for
school trips? (Question 1)
c. In what kind of places could a coach
wait? (Question 2)
d. What do children typically need to
take on a school trip? (Question 3)
e. What information might parents
need about the trip? (Question 4)

And that’s why we make
’em sign permission slips.
Complete the sentences below. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS
for each answer.
The trip is to Whitsmead 1 ____________________
The coach leaves at 8 a.m. from the 2 ____________________ next to the
school.
Each child needs to take 3 ____________________
The school will phone to tell parents the 4 ____________________

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(Audio 18) Now listen to a longer Section 1 extract and complete the
4 exam question in Exercise 3

Focus on formats 2: sentence completion, note completion, table com-
pletion, and short answers

● The note-completion and sentence-completion examples on page
88 ask for ‘no more than three words’, but other instructions are pos-
sible, such as ‘no more than one word or a number’ and ‘no more
than two words and/or a number’.

● The table-completion format is similar but requires information that
is more clearly arranged in table form.

● The short-answer format is similar to note completion, but is in ques-
tion-and-answer format instead:

Answer below. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.
1. What does the insurance not cover? ____________________
2.Whattypeofaccommodationisthemanlookingfor?____________________
3. Where must the restaurant be? ____________________

How well are you prepared for the exam formats? Decide whether
5

these statements are true (T) or false (F)

a. ‘Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer’ means you will
lose marks if you write more than three words.
b. ‘Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each an-
swer’ means you can write any combination of up to four words and num-
bers for each answer.
c. In formats requiring you to write in words, there is not necessarily only
one possibility. There may be one or more acceptable alternatives.
d. The formats described in the box above only occur in Sections 1 and 2.
e. In Section1, you hear all of the recordings twice. In Sections 2, 3, and 4,
you only hear the recording once.
f. You must complete your final answer sheet at the same time as you
listen.
g. Most people think Section 1 is much easier than Section 4.

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The full-length Section 1 Listening test on page 90 combines table
completion with a note-completion task.

Preparing to answer 1

For each section in the exam, you will first hear the situation of the re-
cording. In this case:
You will hear two people discussing travel arrangements from an air-
port to a city centre.
Then you will have a short time (around 20 seconds) to look at the ques-
tions. You will be asked to look at approximately half the questions, in
this case Questions 1-5.
In Section 1, you will hear the part of the recording relating to the exam-
ple first. Then you hear all the recordings from the beginning ‘to the end
of the questions you were asked to look at. The recording will then stop
and you will have a short time to look at the rest of the questions before
the recording starts again.

Tip
With only 20 seconds, you won’t have time to consider the questions; in
great detail, but combining what you have already heard with what you
can deduce from reading the questions can be very helpful

1. Look at Questions 1 to 5 in the exam task below. What type of informa-
tion is needed in each gap?

2. Now look at Questions 6-10. What can you guess about the situation to
help you listen for the information you need? What is the range of pos-
sible answers for each question?

3. (Audio 19) Now listen and do the exam task

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Questions 1-5
Complete the table below. Write NO MORE THAN ONE WORD AND/OR A
NUMBER for each answer

Frequency Journey takes Cost Operates

Train Every 30 minutes Example: 12 1___________ 5 a.m. - 11.45
Bus minutes p.m.
Taxi
Every 3___________ $11 24 hours
2___________

On demand Approximately $38 5___________
4___________

Questions 6-10
Complete the notes below. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/
OR A NUMBER for each answer.

Office closed after 6________________
To call taxi, call when 7________________
Taxi waiting by sign saying “8________________”
Pay driver in cash
Cash machine at the airport
Show driver the 9________________
Email address 10________________

In this section, you have looked at question formats which require you to
write in missing information, but remember: ANY QUESTION FORMAT
CAN BE USED IN ANY SECTION

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TEST 1

LISTENING

SECTION 1 Questions 1-10
Questions 1-3
Complete the form below
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each
answer.

Application for: Children’s Librarian - Volunteer
Example Answer
Name: Tessa Bridges
Address: 51, 1________________ Drive
Area: Northwood
Postcode: 2 __________________
Studying at: Northwood Polytechnic
Major: 3 __________________
Career choice: Children’s author

Question 4-6
Complete the table below.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.

Length of services Work History Position
Employer / Place babysitter

2 years 4 ________________

1 year Senior High School 5 ________________

3 months Ace Sport Academy 6 ________________
Ongoing Northwood Hospital
Official visitor:
Children’s ward

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Questions 7-10
Is Tessa available for work at the times listed below?
Write the correct letter, A, B, or C, next to questions 7-10.

A She is definitely available for work at these times

B She might be available for work at these times

C She is not available for work at these times

Times:
7. Weekdays________________
8. Evenings________________
9. Weekends________________
10. School Holidays________________

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TEST 2

LISTENING

SECTION 1 Questions 1-10
Questions 1-6
Complete the form below
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each
answer.

APPLICATION FORM

Example Answer

Years of membership: Senven
Type of LD.: 1________________

LD. No.: 2________________

Family name: Black

Other names: Gavin Raymond

D.O.B: 22/01/1973

LD. expiry date: 3________________

Address: 4________________ Meadowbank

Class of Vehicle: 5________________

Endorsement: None

Conviction: 6________________ (1993)

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Questions 7-10
Complete the table below.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer

Membership level benefits

7__________ Bronze Silver Gold

Standard None 5% discount 7,5% discount 50% discount
care None 8___________
Insurance $10 off free $20 off free
Free
Personal 0,25% 0,5% 10__________ 9___________
loans reduction* reduction* reduction*
1,25%
reduction*

*on applicable rate

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TEST 3
LISTENING

SECTION 1 Questions 1-10
Questions 1-6
Complete the notes below.
Write ONE WORD for each answer.

SELF-DRIVE TOUR IN THE USA

Example Answer

Years of membership: Andrea Brown
Address: 24 1________________ Road

Postcode: BH5 2OP

Phone: (mobile) 077 8664 3091

Heard about the company from: 2________________

Possible self-drive tours:
Trip One:

● Los Angeles customer wants to visit some 3________________ parks
with her children

● Yosemite Park: customer wants to stay in a lodge, not a
4________________

Trip Two:
● Customer wants to see the 5________________ on the way to Cam-
bria
● At Santa Monica: not interested in shopping
● At San Diego, wants to spend time on the 6________________

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Question 7-10
Complete the table below.
Write ONE WORD/OR A NUMBER for each answer

Number of Total Price Includes
days distance (per person)

Trip One 12 days 7 _______ km £525 ● Accommodation
Trip Two ● Car
9 days ● One 8 _________

980 km 9 £ _________ ● Accommodation
● Car
● 10 __________

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LISTENING WEEK 3

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I. Recognising paraphrase

In this unit you will practise:
- identifying the speakers
- completing notes
- completing a table

1 Identifying distractors

Distractors are the incorrect answers to a question. Identifying distractors
help you to choose the correct answer and show you have understood the
Listening text.

Test Tip
For most questions in the Listening paper, you will hear two or more po-
tential answers to each question, but only one will be correct. The incor-
rect answers are called distractors.

1.1 (Audio 13) Listen to extracts from each Section of the Listening
paper. Answer the questions in the table below.

Write ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER

Questions Distractors

1 What date will they leave?

2 What day will the tour visit a
farm?

The students decide to do a
3

project about

Problems:
4 • poor weather

• a lack of

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Study Tip
To improve your concentration, when you are doing the Practice Tests in
this book, try to write down each possible answer. Cross out the incorrect
answers as you listen, based on what the speakers say.
(Note that you may not have time to do this in the exam, however.)

Listen to the extracts again. Write down each possible answer and
1.2

cross out the incorrect ones. Write the distractors in the table.

2 Recognising paraphrase

The speakers you will hear in the Listening paper often use different
words to those in the questions. For example, you may hear a synonym (a
word with a similar meaning).

2.1 (Audio 10) Match words/phrases 1-8 with their synonyms a-h.

1. a price _______ a. money
2. a location _______ b. to carry
3. funding _______ c. a drawback
4. dangerous _______ d. a fee
5. a solution _______ e. a place
6. to transport _______ f. risky
7. disadvantage _______ g. an impact
8. an effect _______ h. an answer

The questions may paraphrase an idea that you will hear (express the same
idea in a different way).

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(Audio 14) Listen to more extracts from each Listening Section.
2.2

Complete the first column by choosing the correct answer.

Questions Synonyms/ Reasons the other
paraphrase options are incorrect
What do they decide to
organize first?

1 A. place to stay
B. their airfares
C. car hire

What change will they make
in the garden?

2 A. improve the shade
B. remove plants
C. add a water feature

What do the students agree
they need to do with their
project?
3
A. do more research
B. make some cuts
C. add some visual effects

The scientists are studying

A. how snow forms in

4 different conditions.
B. the effect that snow

has on our climate.

C. the effect different

clouds have on snow

2.3 Listen again and complete the table. First, write the synonyms or
paraphrases you hear for the underlined words and phrases. Then
explain why the other possible answers are incorrect.

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3 Selecting from a list

Sometimes, you need to choose an answer from a longer list. All of the ideas
in the list will be mentioned, but only two or three options are correct. To
help you concentrate, it can help to underline key words before you listen.
Keywords are important words in the question (or the words or phrases in
an option that make it different to the others).

Test Tip
The questions in the Listening paper are in the same order as the infor-
mation you hear. This means that you will hear the information you need
for Question 1 before you hear the information for question 2. etc.
However, in questions where you have to choose an option from a list,
(e.g. multiple choice or matching items) the list of possible options will
be in random order

Test Tip
Make sure that you pay close attention to any negatives in the options, as
well as any adjectives. With matching or multiple choice tasks, pay care-
ful attention to the question, as well as the options. The question will tell
you how many answers you have to choose, as well as what you need to
listen for (e.g. problems, solutions, advantages. etc.)

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