Conversation between 4 Students About One of Their Tutors Named Marlena - IELTS Listening Sample Answer

IELTS Listening section comprises two monologues and conversations. There is a total of 40 IELTS Listening questions. This topic - A conversation between 4 students about one of their tutors named Marlena is IELTS Listening section three.

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Candidates need to answer the following IELTS listening question types:

• Identifying information
• Sentence completion

Audio Transcript:

You will hear a conversation between four students: Lynn, Thomas ,Sophie and David. They are talking about one of their tutors, Marlena. First, you have some time to look at questions 21 to 25.

Pause the recording for 30 seconds.

Now listen carefully and answer questions 21 to 25.

Lynn: Thomas, let's not go to the lab. Let's just stay here in the student lounge and drink tea and review the chapter.

Thomas: You know, we can't do that. We have a responsibility to turn up and make sure our tutor has understood the week's lectures. If we don't go, no one will ever even realize she's got the theories all muddled up.

Sophie: Oh! Really.

Lynn: Sophie, it's awful. Marlena just opens her mouth and I'm confused. Really she…...

Thomas: Marlena is our tutor.

Sophie: Yeah. I got at that.

Lynn: You lot have got no manners. I was in the middle of saying something. Huh! She'll say things that make no sense whatsoever. And I'm thinking I've misunderstood something and I'm looking around the room and everyone has these looks on their faces of…...

Thomas: Disbelief and merriment. Maybe! You do Thomas, but we're not all geniuses. Really I'll be so worried that I have got it all wrong. Then people start asking questions and by and by we figure out that she's mixed something up.

Sophie That’s too bad. It's not a good situation at all.

Thomas: But surely you're exaggerating a bit, Lynn.

Lynn. No. it's awful. I don't know how she got through her undergraduate studies much less got accepted as a post-grad here. You'd think our professor would have some idea about her abilities.

Before you hear the rest of the conversation, you have some time to look at questions 26 to 30.

Pause the recording for 30 seconds.

Now listen and answer questions 26 to 30.

David: Marlena has an unusual name. Is she English?

Lynn: She’s Spanish, David. She's got a really strong accent.

Thomas: Really, that's a lot of the problem, I think I don't think she's thick. She just doesn't communicate very well. I'm not sure she understands this completely, especially when someone's joking around and we do tease her a bit. I must admit.

Sophie: What a nightmare! I'd hate to have you in my class if I was a tutor, Tom.

Thomas: As long as you're clever Sophie you'd have nothing to worry about.

Sophie: But you've just said she's not thick.

David: I think I've met her actually, I think we had a class together maybe last year that she was really shy and quiet. Hardly spoke the whole term, but she was always smiling and friendly. She seemed nice actually and I think she got one of the highest marks in the class. Maybe you've all picked on her so much that she's so nervous that she can't think clearly. Ever think of that...

Lynn: But We don't need to babysit. We need help. It's a difficult subject.

Sophie: Has anyone ever gone up and asked her for help individually?

Thomas: Yes. Actually I have. I couldn't understand one of the formulas in the first chapter. The theory about why it worked just made no sense to me. So I went and asked her about it and she cleared it right up. She was very helpful. She's not thick. I already said that.

Sophie: She's just so much fun to torment, right?

Thomas: Yep, that's it.

Sophie: Lynn, if you're having trouble with something, why don't you make an appointment to meet with her individually and see if she can help you that way? Maybe you'd see a different side of her. I reckon she just hates getting up in front of the class and I can hardly blame her.

Lynn: Yes. I could try that, I suppose.

David: Guys, the tutors aren’t told academics, have been teaching for 30 years. They're just like us. Two years down the road if we're clever enough to continue with our education. I know I'd be more too fright to get up in front of you lot. And I don't think I'll feel that differently in a couple of years time. You know, we're far more experienced as students than they are as teachers.

Thomas: Hmm. You're right David. Really, it's more like one of our mates’ is trying to help us out. But you know, our mates’ aren't so frightened of us.

Sophie: Yeah, but you aren't so horrible to your mates. Are you?

Section 3

Questions 21-30

17. 21-25

Choose your answer from the box and write the letters A – D next to questions 21 – 25.

Which student expresses each of the opinions about their tutor?

When things don’t make sense I think it’s my mistake at first 21 __________

Answer: D

Explanation: It was Lynn who stated that when things didn’t make sense she thought that it was her mistake at first.

Also check:

I find the tutor’s mistakes entertaining. 22 __________

Answer: B

Explanation: Thomas told that he finds their tutor, namely, Marlena’s mistakes entertaining.

I think it’s unfortunate when tutors confuse people. 23 __________

Answer: C

Explanation: According to Sophie, it is unfortunate when tutors confuse people.

I don’t believe the situation is so serious. 24__________

Answer: A

Explanation: According to David, the situation is not that serious as stated by other students.

The professor should be aware of his tutor’s abilities. 25__________

Answer: D

Explanation: Lynn states that the professor should be aware of her own abilities as a tutor.

Q.26-30

Complete the sentences below.

Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SURVIVING THE CONFUSING LAB CLASS

Remember that English is not Marlena’s first language. She doesn’t understand when you’re joking around, so don’t 26__________ her so much.

Answer: tease

Explanation: Thomas states that English is not Marlena’s first language. Therefore, when the students joke around her, she doesn’t understand.

If you pick on her, you will make her 27__________ that she can’t think clearly.

Answer: so nervous

Explanation: According to the conversation, when the students pick on Marlena, it makes her nervous and she is unable to think clearly.

If you need help, make an appointment to meet with her 28__________ and you might see a

Answer: individually

Explanation: If help is needed, the students can make an appointment, and see her individually.

29__________ of her.

Answer: different side

Explanation: On seeing her individually, students will be able to see a different side of her.

Remember that tutors are not old academics; she is not yet experienced as a 30__________

Answer: teacher

Explanation: David tells that Marlena is not a very experienced teacher.