Induction talk for new apprentices: listening answers and explanations
Janet Parker, a human resources manager, welcomes a group of new apprentices. She gives advice for the first week, explains what their mentors will do, and runs through company rules on the internet, flexible working, holidays, overtime, clothes and food.
Three blocks in order: first-week advice (11-12), then mentors (13-14), then 'a few company policies' (15-20). The six policies come in the same order as the list: internet, flexible working, holidays, overtime, shoes, food.
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 advice comes in the first minute, all paraphrased. One option borrows a word she uses for something else ('challenging'), and two sound like standard advice but are never given. Tick an option only when you hear her actually tell the apprentices to do it.
Question 11-12
Answer: A and C (in either order)Right after she says the first week may be challenging
Which two pieces of first-week advice does the manager give?
The important thing is to check with someone if you're not sure whatto do … make an effort to talk to as many people as possible about their work
Question says → You hear
ask lots of questionscheck with someone if you're not sure
get to know colleaguestalk to as many people as possible about their work - you'll make some new friends
Why: C: checking with someone whenever you're unsure, and the supervisor being happy to explain, is advice to ask questions. A: talking to as many people as possible and making new friends is getting to know colleagues.
The trap: E is the most tempting: she says the first week 'may be quite challenging', but she's warning you, not telling you to enjoy challenges. Mistakes and feedback (B and D) aren't mentioned in the first-week advice.
Multiple choice (choose TWO)
Questions 13-14
How to attack this block: Listen for what mentors will do, and also for what they won't. She clearly rules one thing out ('this doesn't mean...'), and the word 'weekly' is used for meetings, not for planning a timetable.
Question 13-14
Answer: B and E (in either order)When she introduces the mentor, after the supervisor
Which two things does the manager say mentors can help with?
they'll be asking you about what goals you've achieved so far, as well as helping you to identify any areas for improvement. You can also discuss your more long-term ambitions with them as well.
Question says → You hear
reviewing progressasking you about what goals you've achieved so far
making career plansdiscuss your more long-term ambitions
Why: E: asking which goals you've achieved and finding areas to improve is reviewing your progress. B: discussing long-term ambitions is making career plans.
The trap: C is ruled out directly: 'this doesn't mean they'll actually do any of your work for you'. D borrows 'weekly' from 'you'll meet with them on a weekly basis', but that's how often you meet, not a timetable they help you make.
Matching (A-C)
Questions 15-20
How to attack this block: Three choices: encouraged, some restrictions, or against the rules. The trick is the difference between 'some restrictions' (allowed sometimes, or allowed for some purposes) and 'against the rules' (a flat no). Listen for words like 'depend', 'only', 'don't' and 'policy'.
Question 15
Answer: BFirst policy, introduced with 'Most importantly, the internet'
What does she say about using the internet?
you'll have unlimited access for that but please don't use it for personal use
Question says → You hear
Using the internetunlimited access for that but please don't use it for personal use
Why: Internet use is fine for research but not for personal reasons. Allowed for one purpose and not another is a restriction, so B.
The trap: C, because of 'please don't'. But the internet itself isn't against the rules, only personal use of it.
Question 16
Answer: BWhen she says some of them have already asked about it
What does she say about flexible working?
some of you will be eligible for this - but it will depend on which department youre in and what your personal circumstances are
Question says → You hear
Flexible workingit will depend on which department youre in
Why: Only after three months, only for some people, and depending on department and circumstances. That's a set of conditions, so B.
The trap: 'Please don't assume you'll automatically be permitted' sounds like a refusal, but it only warns that it isn't automatic. It's still possible.
Question 17
Answer: CWhen she says she wants no confusion about the holiday policy
What does she say about booking holidays?
we ask that you don't book any holidays until after your six-month apprenticeship has finished. Time off should only be taken if you are unwell.
Question says → You hear
Booking holidaysdon't book any holidays until after your six-month apprenticeship has finished
Why: No holidays at all during the six months, apart from public holidays and sick leave. For the apprentices that's a ban, so C.
The trap: B, because of the exception for public holidays and illness. But those aren't holidays you book, and booking holidays is not allowed.
Question 18
Answer: ARight after she mentions the 40-hour week
What does she say about working overtime?
Although you're not required to do this, it can be a valuable experience - so we advise you to take it up if possible.
Question says → You hear
Working overtimewe advise you to take it up if possible
Why: 'We advise you to take it up' is encouragement, so A.
The trap: 'Not required' and 'don't worry if there are times when you are unavailable' make it sound limited. They only mean it's optional, which fits encouraged, not restricted.
Question 19
Answer: AAt the end of the bit about the dress code
What does she say about wearing trainers?
the only restriction for shoes we have is on high heels for health and safety reasons. Comfortable shoes like trainers are preferable.
Question says → You hear
Wearing trainersComfortable shoes like trainers are preferable
Why: 'Preferable' means the company would rather you wore them, so trainers are encouraged: A.
The trap: B, because the word 'restriction' is said. The restriction is on high heels, not trainers.
Question 20
Answer: CWhen she describes the subsidised canteen
What does she say about bringing food to work?
so we've decided to introduce a no packed lunch policy
Question says → You hear
Bringing food to worka no packed lunch policy
Why: A packed lunch is food you bring from home, and a 'no packed lunch policy' forbids it. So C.
The trap: Snacks and drinks are provided and the canteen is encouraged, which can pull you to A. Those are the company's food, not food you bring.
'Please don't use it for personal use' sounds like a ban, so many people write C. But she has just said you'll have unlimited access for research, so internet use is allowed with a limit: B.
The talk mentions a restriction on shoes, which pulls people to B. That restriction is on high heels. Trainers are 'preferable', which means encouraged: A.
She says you're 'not required' to do overtime, which can sound negative. Then she says 'we advise you to take it up', so overtime is encouraged: A.
Words from this recording worth keeping
apprenticeship(Welcome)
a period of training on the job with an employer
approachable(First-week advice)
easy to talk to and ask for help
mentor(Mentors)
an experienced person who guides and supports you
probationary(Flexible working)
a trial period at the start of a job
eligible(Flexible working)
allowed to have something because you meet the conditions
statutory(Holidays)
required or fixed by law
overtime(Working hours)
extra hours worked beyond the normal week
heavily subsidised(Food)
made much cheaper because the employer pays part of the cost
Sit this test on Langujet, then come back
The full Cambridge 14 Test 1 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 14, Test 1, 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.
