Student counselling session: listening answers and explanations
John, a college student, drops in to see a study counsellor. They talk about how the sessions work, John's problems managing his time, and then the counsellor's advice on writing assignments, keeping up in lectures and reading.
The multiple choice (21-25) covers the first half: the sessions, independent study, the resource centre, time and the counsellor's next step. The notes (26-30) follow the counsellor's advice in the same order as the headings: writing, listening, reading. John raises each problem and the counsellor gives the answer.
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: John and the counsellor often disagree or see things differently, so check whose opinion the question asks about. Several wrong options repeat John's words (compulsory, science, working all night) rather than the facts.
Question 21
Answer: BRight at the start, after John says they should be compulsory
Who are the counselling sessions for?
I think they would be useful for everybody but well, everybody has their own way of going about things. I prefer people just to drop in when they can.
Question says → You hear
available to any studentsuseful for everybody … I prefer people just to drop in
Why: The counsellor thinks sessions are useful for everybody and that people should just drop in. So they're available to any student, but not required: B.
The trap: A, compulsory: that's John's opinion, and the counsellor gently disagrees. C: John only heard about the sessions from a friend on a science course.
Question 22
Answer: BWhen the counsellor talks about the difference between college and school
What does the counsellor say new students must do?
the biggest difference between college and school is that new college students really have to do a lot of work on their own
Question says → You hear
get used to working independentlyhave to do a lot of work on their own
Why: Working on their own is working independently. That's the key change from school: B.
The trap: C: 'a lot of work' suggests working harder, but the point is who organises the work, not how much there is.
Question 23
Answer: AWhen John complains about working all night
What is John's complaint about the resource centre?
The resource centre is very good but it closes so early.
Question says → You hear
has limited opening hoursit closes so early
Why: Closing early means limited opening hours: A.
The trap: B, too few resources: John says the centre is 'very good', so the resources aren't the problem.
Question 24
Answer: CAfter the counsellor says he's not the only one with this problem
What does the counsellor suggest to John?
If you do this with a plan, then you'll find that you still have time for yourself and your hobbies as well.
Question says → You hear
fit in some leisure activitiestime for yourself and your hobbies
Why: With a plan, John will still have time for hobbies. Hobbies are leisure activities: C.
The trap: A: 'you're certainly not the only person in that position' means other students have the same problem, not that they cope. B is the opposite of the advice.
Question 25
Answer: CAfter John mentions Thomas's study plan
What does the counsellor need before helping John?
I need to find out a few more things about you first. I'll give you this form to fill in about your lectures and things
Question says → You hear
get more information from himI need to find out a few more things about you first
Why: The counsellor needs more information from John, using a form: C.
The trap: A: lectures are mentioned, but they're what John writes about on the form. The counsellor doesn't speak to his lecturers or tutor.
Note completion (NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS)
Questions 26-30
How to attack this block: The notes are the counsellor's tips under three headings. Each tip is said as advice ('It's also vital to', 'It's a good idea to', 'You should also'), so listen for those phrases and take the key verb or noun.
Question 26
Answer: check workUnder writing, after the advice about reading the question
Also accepted: check your work / check over work / check over your work / check errors / revise / revise work / revise your work
What should John leave time for when writing?
It's also vital to check your work for errors. … So, always take time at the end to check what you have written.
Question says → You hear
Leave time toalways take time at the end to check what you have written
Why: The counsellor says to take time at the end to check your work. 'Check work' or 'check your work' fits after 'to'.
The trap: 'Plan' is mentioned, but John already plans carefully. The first tip, reading the question, is already printed.
Question 27
Answer: recordWhen John says he goes off into a dream in lectures
What should John try to do with lectures?
It's a good idea to find out from your lecturers if they mind you recording the lectures.
Question says → You hear
Try to ... lecturesrecording the lectures
Why: The tip is to record lectures, after asking permission. The gap needs a base verb after 'to': record.
The trap: Writing 'recording', which doesn't fit after 'try to'. Check the grammar of the gap.
Question 28
Answer: a friendStraight after the cassette recorder advice
Also accepted: friend / freind / a freind
Who should John check his notes with?
Something else you can do is check your notes with a friend after the lecture.
Question says → You hear
Check notes withcheck your notes with a friend
Why: Check your notes with a friend. 'A friend' or 'friend' both work.
The trap: 'Your lecturers' are mentioned in the previous tip, but as the people to ask about recording.
Question 29
Answer: general interestWhen John says there's so much reading to do
What kind of topics should John read about?
It's important, though, not to confine yourself to reading on your subject. You should also read things of general interest that appeal to you.
Question says → You hear
Choose topics ofread things of general interest
Why: John shouldn't only read on his subject, but also things of general interest. Copy 'general interest'.
The trap: 'Your subject' is what not to limit yourself to. Novels and newspapers are examples, not the type of topic.
Question 30
Answer: dictionaryWhen the counsellor asks if he has a good dictionary
What should John buy?
Do you have a good dictionary? … It would probably be a good idea to get one.
Question says → You hear
Buy a goodIt would probably be a good idea to get one
Why: John doesn't have one, and the counsellor says to get one because they're cheap and useful. The answer is dictionary.
The trap: 'Novels, newspapers' come just before, but they're things to read, not to buy.
'Compulsory' and 'science' are both said, but by John: he thinks the sessions should be compulsory, and his friend is a science student. The counsellor prefers people to drop in, so they're open to anyone, B.
John talks about working all night, which suggests 'work harder', C. But the counsellor's point is that students 'have to do a lot of work on their own': working independently, B.
The note says 'topics of ...', and the counsellor says 'things of general interest'. Novels and newspapers are examples, not the answer.
Words from this recording worth keeping
compulsory(The sessions)
something you must do
drop in(The sessions)
visit without an appointment
workload(Managing time)
the amount of work you have
systematic(Managing time)
done in an organised, step-by-step way
first draft(Writing)
the first version of a piece of writing
keep up(Listening)
go at the same speed as others
confine yourself to(Reading)
limit yourself to
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The full Cambridge 2 Test 4 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 2, Test 4, Listening Part 3. 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.
