A Conversation between 2 Students about Culture Shock- IELTS Listening Sample Answer

Collegedunia Team

Jan 18, 2022

IELTS Listening section comprises four sections - two conversations and two monologues. Candidates are required to carefully listen to the audio, analyze the questions, and answer the 40 IELTS listening questions. This topic - A Conversation between 2 students about culture shock and how to overcome it is the IELTS listening section part 3. The following are the question types of this section of IELTS listening:

  • No more than three words

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Topic: A Conversation between 2 students about culture shock and how to overcome it

Audio Transcript:

Section 3

You will hear a conversation. First, you have some time to look at questions 21 to 30.

Now listen carefully and answer questions 21 to 30.

Katarina: So, Jatinder and Ali, how did you deal with culture shock when you first came here to study?

Jatinder: Well Katarina, when I first arrived in the UK, I was just so excited to be living in a foreign country away from my parents, but I just didn't really notice anything at first. How about you, Ali?

Ali: yes. I'm here. That's quite typical, isn't it? Everything seems new and fascinating but after this initial enthusiasm wears off, all the new experiences may begin to overwhelm you. Things that you found exciting at first, may now seem strange and a little frightening. Even minor differences such as being unable to buy your usual brands of various products can add to that sense of strangeness?

Jatinder: Yes. That's right. Then you may start to experience sudden new changes and strong reactions. Feeling lost, disoriented, and even irritated and resentful. Most of all, you may wish, you were back among the familiar people and places at home. All International students can experience culture shock in some form, even those coming from countries with very similar lifestyles to those in the UK. It is important to understand that this reaction is entirely normal and that it will pass.

Katarina: Okay. So what suggestions do you have for me?

Ali: Well, I made sure that I arrived early. I got here about ten days. Yeah, ten days, before most of the other students, so that I could settle in, before things got busy. Many universities run special induction programs for international students in the week before term begins. A typical induction program provides a tour of the college or university, an overview of its facilities and how to use them, help with registering for your academic program and social events where you can meet other students and staff. This can help you to start to get used to your new environment.

Katarina: Yeah, I heard about those, but too late unfortunately! Jatinder, did you go on an induction course like Ali?

Jatinder: No. I wish, I had, for my parents wouldn't let me go a day sooner than absolutely necessary. It was very annoying.

Ali: Every university has counselors who can give you practical advice on adjusting your new environment. These people have special training in offering advice and support and they understand the challenges you face. They can listen to you sympathetically, offer practical suggestions and refer you to other professionals, if necessary. Your personal tutor and the staff in the international office of your college or university can also be helpful

Jatinder: Have you heard about the buddy or mentoring system? Students who have been at the University or college for a longer period give advice to new arrivals and are available for help and guidance throughout the year. There is information on scheme, such as these at the students union or the international student association will help you become involved. I use the system when I arrived and found it really open some doors socially. You know, I got to meet lots of people like Harley, right?

Ali: Right Katarina. I think it's also important to keep in touch with home. Use the telephone email and conventional mail to keep in contact with your friends and family at home. In larger towns or cities with large International communities like this one, you may be able to find people from your country. Spend some time with them. Many International students find that it helps to make contact with people from a similar background because they understand what you're going through. Spending time with people from your country can also be a relaxing break from the strangeness of the UK. You can speak your own language, eat your own food and talk about what is going on back home.

Jatinder: Yes and don't forget that the university has a variety of cultural societies as well as an active International students association, Ask at the student union. They may also have information about national or cultural groups outside the institution.

Ali: Another thing you should try to do is to keep healthy and active. Make an effort to exercise regularly. You will feel better and it can also be a good way to meet people. Eat a balanced diet and find a shop that sells food from your part of the world so that you can enjoy familiar meals when you want them.

Katernina: That's a really good idea. I'll sign up at the university sports center this afternoon.

Jatinder: I don't know whether you believe in God, but if you do, remembering your faith can be helpful and comforting. If you follow a religion and worship regularly at home, you can keep this up while you're in the UK. it can provide a sense of stability and be a link to your life at home. Every major religion in the world is represented here and most large cities have Muslim, Hindu Sikh and Buddhist centers as well as synagogues and churches of all denominations. The student union keeps a list of places of worship

Katarina: I’m not religious, but I do see your point. So there's plenty I can do. Practical things I mean. And above all, I need to remind myself that culture shock is normal and temporary.

Question 21-30

Q. 21-23

Complete the following sentences using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each gap.

  1. Things that seem exciting and fascinating can later seem ____________ according to Ali and Jatinder.

Answer: strange and frightening

Explanation: Ali said that things that you(Jatindar) found exciting at first, may now seem strange and a little frightening.

Also check:

  1. Even people from cultures that have ____________ lifestyles to those in the UK can suffer from culture shock.

Answer: very similar

Explanation: All International students can experience culture shock in some form, even those coming from countries with very similar lifestyles to those in the UK, as it is important to understand that this reaction is entirely normal and that it will pass.

  1. Jatinder didn’t attend an ____________ because her parents wouldn’t let her go early.

Answer: induction program

Explanation: Ali said that a typical induction program provides a tour of the college or university, an overview of its facilities and how to use them, help with registering for your academic program and social events where you can meet other students and staff.

Q. 24-26

Answer the following questions using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.

  1. Which member of the academic staff can help with culture shock, according to Ali? ____________

Answer: personal tutor

Explanation: Ali said your personal tutor and the staff in the international office of your college or university can also be helpful

  1. What scheme does Jatinder talk about? ____________

Answer: buddy/mentoring/mentor

ExplanationJatinder talked about the buddy or mentoring system. Students who have been at the University or college for a longer period give advice to new arrivals and are available for help and guidance throughout the year

  1. What does Ali say Katarina should do regarding her family? ____________

Answer: keep in touch/contact

Explanation: Ali said that Katarina must keep in touch with home. Use the telephone email and conventional mail to keep in contact with your friends and family at home

Q. 27-30

Complete the following sentences using NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each gap.

  1. The ____________ may also have information about national or cultural groups outside the university.

Answer: student union

Explanation: The student union may also have information about national or cultural groups outside the university.

  1. Ali suggests that staying ____________ can help overcome culture shock.

Answer: healthy and active

Explanation: Ali siad that another thing you should try to do is to keep healthy and active, making an effort to exercise regularly.

  1. Katarina decides to register at the ____________

Answer: university sport center

Explanation: Katarina said that it was a really good idea and that will sign up at the university sports center this afternoon

  1. For religious people, the student union has a register of ____________

Answer: places of worship

Explanation: Jatinder said that every major religion in the world is represented here and most large cities have Muslim, Hindu Sikh and Buddhist centers as well as synagogues and churches of all denominations. The student union keeps a list of places of worship.

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.

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