Conversation between a Student and Woman about University Admission - IELTS Listening Sample Answer

IELTS Listening section tests how well a candidate can listen to audio and answer the questions. This topic - A conversation between a student and woman about university admission is IELTS Listening section one. Candidates need to answer the following IELTS listening question types:

• Multiple choice questions
• Fill in the blanks

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Audio Transcript:

You will hear a conversation between a student and a woman. First, you have some time to look at questions 1 to 10.

Now listen carefully and answer questions 1 to 10.

Student: Good afternoon. I'm considering applying to your university and would like to ask you some questions.

Woman: Of course! Take a seat, which course are you thinking of applying for?

Student: Southeast Asian studies.

Woman: I see. Do you have a copy of the university prospectus?

Student: Yes, I do. I downloaded it.

Woman: So, you know that it's a four year course, including one year living and working in the region.

Student: Yes, the A level entrance requirement is BCC, right.

Woman: Yes. It's on average, our students have three Bs.

Student: Are there any restrictions on the subjects that I take at A level?

Woman: No, but we find that students studying politics, economics, history, geography or languages tend to find their first year easier. A background in at least two or three of those subjects is advantageous.

Student: I see. I'm not studying politics or languages, but I am taking the other three at A level. Our language is an important part of the course. You see, I'm not very good at them.

Woman: Languages are not a compulsory part of the course. They're optional each year. However, because students spend a year abroad, we strongly recommend that students take one for at least a year before hand. However, there is a language lab that students are free to use during the day regardless of the subjects they're taking.

Student: Which languages are offered?

Woman: We have five on offer. Vietnamese, Burmese, Thai, Indonesian and Tagalog. They can be taken in the first, second and fourth years. During the third year, students are expected to learn the basics of the language spoken wherever they're spending their year abroad.

Student: I see. Can I spend my year abroad in any country in the region I choose?

Woman: Yes, as long as you can satisfy your tutors, that it will benefit your studies. This year most students have gone to Vietnam, Thailand or the Philippines. Fewer have gone to Indonesia, Burma, Malaysia, Laos or Cambodia. None went to Singapore or Brunei.

Student: What do students generally do during their year abroad?

Woman: The vast majority help on aid projects, especially helping with water supply and sanitation in rural areas. Others get involved in teaching English or in business, particularly the logistics side of things. A small minority get jobs translating or checking translations. That's quite well paid, but your language skills have to be up to scratch.

Student: Good. I was attracted by the idea of teaching English or doing aid work.

Woman: Very often, it's possible to do both. That way, you can also develop a wider range of skills.

Student: Thank you for your help. Can I just check the optional courses for year one?

Woman: The only choice in year one is a language or a project where the student creates a portfolio of background information on the countries of the region. Actually many students do both, since they find the project contributes to their general understanding of the region and the languages are obviously useful in preparation for going abroad. However, students are only assessed on either the language or the project and are free to choose which one.

Student: Got it. And could you tell me about the scholarships that are available from the department? It says in the prospectus that there are some in addition, to the ones offered by the university.

Woman: Sure. Actually I've printed out a list. Here you are. Nothing is available for first-year students but thereafter scholarships are awarded for high overall grades and also for linguistic skills. There is a smaller discretionary award for non-academic contributions.

Student: Well, thank you very much for your help.

Section 1

Question 1-10

Q.1-4

Choose the correct answers A-D and write them next to 1-4 on your answer sheet.

1. How did the student get the university prospectus?

1. From the woman
2. From the Internet
3. From a friend
4. During a visit to the university

Answer: B

Explanation: According to the conversation, the student got the university prospectus downloaded from the internet.

Also check:

2. What is the A-level requirement for the course?

1. BBB
2. BBC
3. BCC
4. There is no clear requirement.

Answer: C

Explanation: The student told that the A level requirement for the course is BCC.

3. What A-level is the student taking?

1. He doesn’t say.
2. He hasn’t started his A-levels yet.
3. Politics, a language, and another subject
4. Economics, geography, and history

Answer: D

Explanation: The student told that she is not studying politics or language but she is taking economics, geography and history for her A-level.

4. Who can use the language lab?

1. Only students who have chosen to study a language
2. Only students who are preparing for work abroad
3. Students who have chosen one of the five languages offered on the course
4. Any student

Answer: D

Explanation: The language lab can be used by any student during the day regardless of the subject they are taking.

Q.5-7

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

5. Who decides the country in which the student will work in year three?____________

Answer: (the) student

Explanation: The student gets to decide where they will work in their year three.

6. How many students went to work in either Singapore or Brunei this year? ____________

Answer: none

Explanation: None of the students went to work in Singapore or Brunei that year.

7. What is the advantage of translating or checking translations? ____________

Answer: (quite) well paid

Explanation: A small minority of students get jobs in translation or checking translations, and that is quite well paid job.

Q.8-10

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

8. The woman points out that the student can teach English and ____________ together.

Answer: do aid work

Explanation: The student’s idea of teaching English and doing aid work was supported by the woman.

9. First-year students can study a language or do a project but are ____________ on one.

Answer: (only) assessed

Explanation: The first-year students can study or work on a project but they are only assessed on one thing.

10. There is no department ____________ for first-year students.

Answer: scholarships

Explanation: The first-year students don’t get any department scholarships.