An Interview about Global Warming - IELTS Listening Sample Answer

The IELTS Listening section comprises four sections with a total of 40 questions. The candidates need to properly listen to the IELTS Listening audio then proceed with the 10 questions. These audio recordings will be in the form of monologues or conversations between two or more people. This topic is section Three of IELTS listening and contains the following question types:

• Complete the notes
• Complete the table
• Multiple choice

Audio Transcript

I = Interviewer; P = Dr Parkinson

I: Dr Parkinson, global warming was the threat of the 1980s but it seems to have fizzled out of people’s minds – why do you think that is?

P: Yes, in a way you’re right. I think scientists have become occupied with the task of trying to find out whether it really is happening and, if so, whether it’s caused by human activities.

I: A greenhouse effect is, after all, a natural phenomenon …

P: Yes, as we know, naturally occurring gases float above us, acting as insulators that prevent heat being radiated into space.

I: And the fear is that the insulation might get thicker …

P: Yes… and because of this, the Earth might get warmer.

I: The latest prediction we’ve heard is that the temperature will increase by about a third of a degree every ten years. What are your feelings?

P: Well …this prediction is difficult to make. You see the global climate is the result of a web of influences. Who is to say that a simple action such as adding carbon dioxide to the atmosphere will not have several effects which might even cancel each other out?

I: And I understand that the prediction is hard to verify whatever …

P: Precisely.

I: Why is that?

P: Because the Earth’s temperature surges and subsides naturally. In fact the best way of detecting global temperature change is to measure the temperature of the oceans as accurately as possible.

I: And this avoids the sort of seasonal fluctuations of the temperature of land mass.

P: Yes – in fact an understanding of the oceans is crucial to understanding how the global climate works. The ocean transports heat around the globe, it’s like a great reservoir of heat – a tiny change in sea surface temperature denotes a huge change in the amount of heat it is storing.

I: And now, I understand you are looking at ways of refining this measurement of ocean temperature.

P: Yes. For a long time, we’ve measured it by placing thermometers in buoys bobbing in the oceans and also when ships draw water through their engines.

I: It’s also been done by satellite, hasn’t it?

P: Yes. But now data from a more promising system is being collected. This is the European along-track scanning radiometer or ATSR, a much simpler name. The ATSR orbits the Earth above us.

I: And what stage are you at with this?

P: Well, it’s been up there two and a half years now. Its an infra-red detector that senses the Earth’s temperature with great accuracy and this is what we need. We have to be able to separate out random changes in temperature.

I: I believe there are other advantages as well.

P: There are several … Every few days it covers the entire Earth. So it produces large quantities of data. It measures the temperature from two angles, which allows correction for any effects that the intervening atmosphere may be having on its readings. Its field of view has a width of 500 kilometres and it measures the temperature to 0.3 degrees centigrade.

I: And it should go on for years?

P: Yes.

I: Thank you, Dr Parkinson, for talking to us today … And now over to…

Questions 21-25

Complete the notes below. Use NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.

Opinions about Global Temperature

Scientists want to know whether global warming is caused by 21____________________ .
Insulation may cause the Earth to 22_____________________.
There are many 23___________________ on the global climate.
The 24______________________ does not remain static.
We cannot understand the global climate without understanding 25___________________.

Question 21.

Answer: human activities

Explanation: Dr. Parkinson stated that “ I think scientists have become occupied with the task of trying to find out whether it really is happening and, if so, whether it’s caused by human activities.” Hence the answer is ‘human activities’.

Also, check:

Question 22.

Answer: get warmer

Explanation: The interviewer remarked that he feared the insulation might get thicker and then the professor said “because of this, the Earth might get warmer”. Thus, it’s clear the answer must be ‘get warmer’.

Question 23.

Answer: influences

Explanation: The professor explains that “the global climate is the result of a web of influences.” Therefore it’s clear that the answer is ‘influences’.

Question 24.

Answer: Earth’s temperature

Explanation: As stated by the professor “the Earth’s temperature surges and subsides naturally.” “surges and subsides” means changes regularly which is similar to ‘does not remain static’ thus the answer is ‘Earth’s temperature.

Question 25.

Answer: (the) oceans

Explanation: The processor said, “an understanding of the oceans is crucial to understanding how the global climate works”. So, the answer here is oceans.

Questions 26-27

Complete the table. Use NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.

Question 26.

Answer: engines

Explanation: The professor stated “and also when ships draw water through their engines.” It is very clear that water is drawn through the engines of the ships. So, ‘engines’ is the correct answer.

Question 27.

Answer: (in) space/(in) orbit/ above us / on the Earth

Explanation: The answer is easy to spot as the professor directly mentions “The ATSR orbits the Earth above us.” Since we can answer in no more than 3 words, we should write ‘on the Earth’ as the answer.

Questions 28-30

Choose THREE letters, A-F

Which THREE advantages of the ATSR are mentioned by Dr. Parkinson?

1. Is located In two places
2. measures very accurately
3. produces large amounts of data
4. correct to within 3 degrees centigrade
5. can view 500 kilometers at a time
6. lasts two and a half years

Question 28.

Answer: B

Explanation: The professor said, “an infra-red detector that senses the Earth’s temperature with great accuracy” therefore the first advantage mentioned of the ATSR by Dr. Parkinson is ‘measures very accurately’.

Question 29.

Answer: C

Explanation: The second advantage of the ATSR is that it produces large amounts of data, hence the answer is C.

Question 30.

Answer: E

Explanation: It is mentioned in the audio, “Its field of view has a width of 500 kilometers and it measures the temperature to 0.3 degrees centigrade”. So the final correct answer is E.