Field Trip Proposal: listening answers and explanations
A tutor gives Sandra feedback on her group's proposal for a Geography Society field trip competition, a trip to the Navajo Tribal Park. They go through the layout and writing style, then which topics belong in the proposal, and finally some practical facts she needs to add.
Questions 21-23 come from the tutor's comments on presentation, 24 from Sandra's reason for choosing the park. For 25-27 the tutor accepts or rejects each topic Sandra raises. The last three answers are Sandra's replies to the tutor's factual questions: the park's size, the tours, and what else to visit.
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 tutor praises some things and criticises others, and every wrong option is something already done well. Listen for the criticism, not the compliment: 'could have been better sequenced', 'cut them down', 'I didn't mean that'.
Question 21
Answer: AEarly on, after his warning about typos and layout
What is the tutor's overall comment on the proposal?
And I've made a few notes on the proposal about things which could have been better sequenced.
Question says → You hear
re-ordered in some partsthings which could have been better sequenced
Why: 'Better sequenced' means the order of some parts should change. That is option A, re-ordered in some parts.
The trap: The contents page is mentioned, but it already exists: he only warns her to check it for typos. 'More information' doesn't fit either, since he says he has only a few things to say.
Question 22
Answer: CWhen the tutor moves on to the writing itself
What would make the proposal easier to follow?
you've often used complex structures and long sentences for the sake of it … although your paragraphing and inclusion of sub-headings help … cut them down a bit, can you?
Question says → You hear
shortened her sentenceslong sentences … cut them down a bit
Why: The problem is long, complex sentences, and his advice is to 'cut them down'. That is shortening her sentences, option C.
The trap: Sub-headings and paragraphs are both named, but as things that already help. They are praise, not advice.
Question 23
Answer: AWhen the tutor says 'don't forget simple formatting'
What was wrong with the formatting?
And don't forget simple formatting like numbering. … Didn't I use page numbers? … I didn't mean that. … or use bullet points, which is even clearer. Then you'll focus the reader on your main points.
Why: He wants numbering or bullet points so the reader can see each main point. Her separate points were not clearly marked, which is option A.
The trap: Page numbering (C) is Sandra's guess, and the tutor rejects it: 'I didn't mean that'. Headings (B) are something she 'remembered to include'.
Question 24
Answer: BRight after the tutor says choosing the park was a good idea
How did Sandra first become interested in the park?
I've always wanted to go there. My father was a great fan of … films which were shot there. As a consequence, it feels very familiar to me
Question says → You hear
movies she saw as a childMy father was a great fan of … films which were shot there
Why: Her father loved films shot in the park, so she grew up seeing it on screen and it 'feels very familiar'. Films are movies, option B.
The trap: Nothing is said about articles or internet photos. The trap is not noticing the films are her father's favourites: she watched them at home growing up.
Multiple choice (choose THREE)
Questions 25-27
How to attack this block: Watch who agrees with whom. Sandra suggests topics and the tutor either accepts them ('I'd agree with including those points') or steers her away ('not immediately relevant'). Only the topics Sandra ends up agreeing to count.
Question 25-27
Answer: B and C and F (in either order)When the tutor turns to the content of the proposal
Which three topics does Sandra agree to include?
from the perspective of a field trip, one thing I needed to focus on was the sandstone plateaux and cliffs … I'd agree with including those points … I'll do some work on those two areas as well
Why: The tutor agrees to the sandstone plateaux and cliffs, which are geographical features (C). He then points her to other areas and she agrees to work on 'those two areas': what they would do on the field trip (B) and the plant and animal life (F), which she goes on to discuss through the 'very shallow-rooted species'.
The trap: Social history (G) gets a long, warm description, but the tutor says it is 'not immediately relevant'. The Navajo stories (E) belong to that same rejected topic, and tourism (D) only comes up as a passing remark.
Sentence completion (ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER)
Questions 28-30
How to attack this block: Quick factual answers, each straight after a direct question from the tutor (area, tours, what else to visit). Two numbers come together for 28, and Sandra rejects one way of travelling before giving her choice for 29.
Question 28
Answer: 12,000When the tutor asks what area the park covers
Also accepted: 12000
How big is the tribal park?
12,000 hectares, and the plain is at about 5,850 metres above sea level.
Question says → You hear
covers ... hectares12,000 hectares
Why: The number attached to 'hectares' is 12,000. Write it in digits; 12000 without the comma is accepted too.
The trap: 5,850 comes straight after, but it is the height of the plain in metres, not the area.
Question 29
Answer: horsesWhen the tutor asks what kind of tours start from Goulding
What does Sandra suggest using to get around?
the most popular are in four-wheel drive jeeps … I think the best way to appreciate the area would be to hire horses instead
Question says → You hear
for transporthire horses instead and trek around on those
Why: She rejects jeeps and says the best way is 'to hire horses instead'. The gap needs a plural noun: horses.
The trap: Jeeps are the most popular tours, which makes them tempting, but she doesn't recommend them. Bikes and private cars are both ruled out too.
Question 30
Answer: cavesThe tutor's last question, 'what else is worth visiting there?'
What else could they explore in the area?
There are several caves, but I haven't looked into any details. I'll find out about them.
Question says → You hear
explore the localThere are several caves
Why: Caves are the only other attraction she names. The gap needs a plural noun, so write caves.
The trap: Goulding is the trading post where people stay and tours start, not something to explore. Spell caves with an s.
Sandra assumes 'numbering' means page numbers and the tutor says 'I didn't mean that'. He means numbering or bullet points to mark separate points, so option A, not C.
Social history gets the longest, most enthusiastic description, yet the tutor says it is not relevant. The plant life answer comes through 'shallow-rooted species', not through the word plants.
Jeeps are 'the most popular' and come first, so they stick in the memory. Sandra recommends against them and suggests horses instead.
Words from this recording worth keeping
typos(Feedback on presentation)
small mistakes in typing
sequenced(Feedback on presentation)
put in a particular order
annotated(Feedback on writing)
added notes or comments to a text
train of thought(Feedback on writing)
the connected series of ideas someone is following
eroded(Content of the proposal)
worn away gradually by wind, water or weather
outcrops(Content of the proposal)
large rocks that stick up out of the ground
shallow-rooted(Content of the proposal)
having roots that don't go deep into the soil
trek(Practical details)
make a long journey, often on foot or horseback
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The full Cambridge 8 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 8, Test 1, 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.
