• next meeting-when will it happen
• Shirley, whom the question is about
• information-topic to listen for.
By looking at the possible answers A, B and C, we know that we are listening for a type of energy.
Let's look at each possible answer in turn:
A 'You can find some information on the advantages of fossil fuels.' Richard is looking at this, not Shirley. 'I'll give you the facts I have already on coal, oil and gas.' Shirley already has this information, which confirms that this is not the correct answer.
B 'We don't need to look into other energy sources.' Shirley is not going to find some information about this, so this is not the correct answer.
34 IELTS Preparation and Practice listening & Speaking
C 'I'll get more details on the nuclear industry.' I'll get more details on is similar to 'will find some information about', and she mentions nuclear energy.
We can therefore conclude that C is the correct answer. You should circle the letter C in your question booklet.
Listen again to Section 3 of Practice Listening Test 1 without pausing. You can find answers to Practice Listening Test 1 in Appendix 2.
At the end of Section 3, you will have 30 seconds to check the answers to all 10 questions. Use this time wisely to make sure that each answer is clearly written, so that there will be no confusion or hesitation when you transfer your answers at the end of the Listening Test. If you are not sure of any answers, make an informed guess on the basis of the notes you have made regarding that question.
WHAT IS IT?
• It is a monologue-usually a short talk or lecture, but you do not need to be an expert or have specialist knowledge to understand the information or ideas.
• T here are 10 questions.
• It is usually not divided into parts, although there may be short pauses.
• T here is time to read the questions before the speaker starts.
• It is spoken only once.
Question types
Table, note, sentence or summary completion are the most common.
Main strategies
• Note who the speaker is, their purpose, and the context or situation from the introductory information.
• Read all 10 questions and instructions to decide what kind of answer is needed, and what information to listen for.
• Read the notes or summary quickly.
• Predict the possible answers-note differences between answer choices.
• Take notes and write the answers as you listen-the recording will be played only once.
Language focus
Knowing these grammar points will make it easier to follow Section 4 of the Listening test:
• conjunctions (e.g. and/or/but)
• transitions:
- connecting sentences (e.g. although/while) - connecting sections (e.g. first/secondly)
- connecting paragraphs (e.g. in addition/as a result).
36 lHTS Preparation and Practice Listening & Speaking
Suggestions
Take notes on the following:
• informative programs such as those on National Geographic and Discovery
• documentary programs
• educational programs that talk about one general topic for several minutes
• free public lectures on a topic of community concern that is interesting
• talks held by volunteer organisations educating the public about the work they do. Here you can check the accuracy of your notes by ref erring to leaflets or information sheets and booklets provided.
Practice Listening Activity 6
Completing a summary
While reading the summary you should predict the information needed for each gap and which part of speech it is.
As you listen you have to complete the summary.
• Write answers to complete the sentences so that they make sense in the context.
Tips
• Try to get an idea of the content and meaning of the text first.
• Use the information you read, together with your knowledge of vocabulary and grammar, to predict what is needed to complete the meaning and make a grammatical sentence at the same time.
Ask yourself questions such as:
• Is it a number, a place, a sum of money, a time and so on?
• What type of word is it: a noun? Plural or singular?
• Does it need an article, a verb or an adjective?
• Could it be two words, e.g. an adjective + noun, or verb + adverb?
Once you decide on an answer, read the sentence again to make sure it makes sense both contextually and grammatically.
Here is an example of a gapped summary. Before you listen, quickly read the summary and predict possible answers using the strategies outlined above.
QUESTIONS 31-37
Complete the summary below.
Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS OR NUMBERS for each answer.
The internet, or information superhighway, has changed the way humans communicate. When the World Wide Web was introduced in 31 ---, not only could text links be made but also images, graphs and video links became possible. This has been
Unit 5 Section 4 of the Listening Test 37
responsible for the 32 _____________ increase in the number of people using the internet since then, and has in turn multiplied its possible uses.
Because 33 _____________ owns the information on the 'net', anyone can set up a site, which means that a lot of information is freely available.
This free 34 ____________ of information can be potentially dangerous for 35 if it is unsupervised. However, lack of information can be even more dangerous. To have access to 36 ---, and a variety of opinions, is important in a complex world. Therefore, because the internet is part of our life today, we need to work to solve its usage problems, while we 37 _____________ the enormous benefits it brings.
Predicting answers in a summary sentence completion