Company volunteering projects: listening answers and explanations
A manager talks to new staff about the company's volunteering scheme. She explains how much work time staff can give, what volunteers said about it, last year's and this year's projects, and the Digital Inclusion Day, where staff help older people with technology.
Questions 11-16 follow the talk in order: time allowed, feedback, last year's project, this year's new project, then the Digital Inclusion Day (where it's held and how to sign up). The speaker then looks back at last year's Digital Inclusion Day for 17-18 (the participants) and 19-20 (what they found useful).
Answer key and self-check
Type what you wrote and hit mark. Hide the key first if you haven't done the part yet. Every question number jumps to its explanation.
How to attack this block: The speaker mentions almost every option, so each question is about telling the real answer from the one she sets aside. Listen for contrasts: 'up until now', 'last year', 'but', 'don't forget'. They tell you what used to be true, or what is extra rather than required.
Question 11
Answer: CWhen the speaker says volunteering 'doesn't necessarily involve a huge time commitment'
How much work time does the company give each person for volunteering?
The company will pay for eight hours of your time. That can be used over one or two days all at once, or spread over
Question says → You hear
How much time ... does the company allowThe company will pay for eight hours of your time
Why: The company pays for eight hours, which staff can use in one go or spread over the year. That's C.
The trap: A: 'a couple of hours every week' is what some keen staff give in their own free time, not what the company allows. B: 'one or two days' is how the eight hours can be used, not a monthly amount.
Question 12
Answer: BWhen the speaker says feedback from staff has been 'overwhelmingly positive'
What did almost all staff say volunteering improved?
motivated at work. They also liked building relationships with the people in the
Question says → You hear
almost all employees saidnearly everyone
job satisfactionmotivated at work
Why: In the recording, nearly everyone agreed that volunteering made them more motivated at work. Feeling more motivated in your job is job satisfaction, B.
The trap: C: relationships are mentioned, but with people in the local community, not colleagues. A: one or two people said it was good for their CVs, but promotion isn't mentioned, and it's only a few people.
Question 13
Answer: CWhen the speaker describes last year's 'particularly successful' project
What did staff help unemployed people with last year?
their telephone skills, such as writing down messages and speaking with confidence
Question says → You hear
communication skillstelephone skills, such as writing down messages and speaking with confidence
Why: Telephone skills, speaking with confidence and dealing with customers are all communication skills, so C.
The trap: A: 'writing down messages' sounds like literacy, but it's part of using the phone. B: the project helped people get back to work, but the help was with these skills, not with applications.
Question 14
Answer: BWhen the speaker says 'We've got an exciting new project starting this year'
Where is this year's new volunteering project?
we've mainly focused on projects to do with education and training … project in Redfern Park … your hands dirty
Question says → You hear
start a new volunteering projectan exciting new project starting this year
with a local parkproject in Redfern Park
Why: The new project is in Redfern Park, for people who want to get outdoors and get their hands dirty. That's B.
The trap: A and C: the reading project in schools and the work with local charities are what the company will continue with. 'Up until now' and 'continue' mark them as old projects.
Question 15
Answer: BWhen the speaker introduces the Digital Inclusion Day, coming up next month
Where will this year's Digital Inclusion Day be held?
far more people. We've invited over 60 people from the Silver Age Community Centre to take part
Why: In the recording, the speaker says the event used to be held at the company's training facility, but this year it's at a college, which can hold far more people. That's B.
The trap: C: the Silver Age Community Centre is where the participants come from, not where the event is. A: the training facility was last time's venue.
Question 16
Answer: AWhen the speaker says they'll need a lot of volunteers for the event
What should staff do to take part in the Digital Inclusion Day?
complete the relevant form. We won't be providing any training for this … don't forget to tell your manager
Question says → You hear
fill in a formcomplete the relevant form
Why: To volunteer, you complete the relevant form, which is A.
The trap: B: she says directly there won't be any training; new volunteers are paired with experienced ones. C: telling your manager is a general reminder about any volunteering, not asking permission for this event.
Multiple choice (choose TWO)
Questions 17-18
How to attack this block: The description of the participants is packed with near-misses: ages, devices, what they could already do. Ask of each option whether it's true of the group as the speaker describes it, not just mentioned.
Question 17-18
Answer: C and E (in either order)When the speaker says the participants on the last Digital Inclusion Day 'really benefited'
Which two things were true of the participants at the last Digital Inclusion Day?
The majority were in their seventies, though some were younger … owned both a computer and … but weren't aware of … but most were quite … But that soon changed.
Why: C: in the recording, many owned a computer and a mobile phone, but the phones were mostly old models. E: most participants were not keen at first, but 'that soon changed', so they started with little interest.
The trap: A is the strongest trap: most were in their seventies, but 'some were younger', so not all were over 70. B: they owned computers, and nothing says they never used them. D: they could already do more than make calls.
Multiple choice (choose TWO)
Questions 19-20
How to attack this block: All five activities come up. Two are praised, one gets a lukewarm reaction, one is only compared, and one is a plan for next time. Pick the two that participants actually found useful.
Question 19-20
Answer: B and D (in either order)When the speaker reports the participants' feedback on what they learned
Which two activities did participants describe as useful?
prefer this form of communication to phoning or sending emails … brains active. They weren't that impressed with being able to order their groceries online
Why: B: they valued keeping in touch with their grandchildren this way, preferring it to phone calls or emails. D: in the recording, online games were popular because they keep their brains active.
The trap: A, tablets, is the strongest trap: it comes at the end, but as something participants asked about and that will be included this time. C: they weren't impressed with online shopping. E: emails come up only as something they like less.
None of the options is said in the speaker's words. Nearly everyone said they felt more motivated at work, which is job satisfaction. Relationships come up, but with people in the local community, not colleagues.
Three things come up around the sign-up: a form, training and the manager. The form is what you do to take part; there's no training, and telling your manager is a general reminder, not permission.
Tablets come up last and sound important, but it's something participants asked about and that will be added next time. Emails are only mentioned as what they like less than talking to their grandchildren.
Words from this recording worth keeping
time commitment(Time allowed)
the amount of time you agree to give
family commitments(Time allowed)
responsibilities to look after your family
overwhelmingly positive(Staff feedback)
almost completely good
motivated(Staff feedback)
keen and willing to work hard
with confidence(Last year's project)
without feeling nervous or unsure
relevant(Digital Inclusion Day)
the correct one for this purpose
benefited(Last Digital Inclusion Day)
got something good or useful
come in handy(Participants' feedback)
be useful at some time
Sit this test on Langujet, then come back
The full Cambridge 13 Test 2 listening paper with the real audio: all four parts, played once, marked the moment you finish. Already done it? Take it again and listen for the traps this page showed you.
Cambridge IELTS 13, Test 2, Listening Part 2. The recording, transcript and questions belong to Cambridge University Press and are not reproduced here. We quote short extracts of the transcript only as evidence for our own commentary, and the answers are published for self-marking. Get the book for the full material, or sit the test on Langujet.
