IELTS Listening · Lesson 8 of 13
Short-answer questions
Answer questions with a few words from the recording. Learn to follow the instructions exactly and predict the type of answer.
In this lesson you will
- use the preparation time to work out the topic and the parts of the talk
- find the key words to follow the speaker
- predict the type of answer for each question
- answer short-answer questions about a Part 2 talk
The question type
What are short-answer questions?
You answer questions with a few words or a number from the recording. Some questions ask for a list, for example “What TWO factors…?”, with one answer on each line. Always check the word limit: the same rules apply as in completion tasks (you practised these in Lesson 1).
Life in the UK
You will hear an extract from a talk given to a group of people who are going to stay in the UK.
Official sample recording. You can also use the computer voice below.
Transcript (check it after you answer)
John ParkerGood evening, and welcome to the British Council. My name is John Parker, and I've been asked to talk to you briefly about certain aspects of life in the UK before you actually go there. So I'm going to talk first about the best ways of making social contacts there.
John ParkerNow, you might be wondering why it should be necessary. After all, we meet people all the time. But when you're living in a foreign country it can be more difficult, not just because of the language, but because customs may be different.
John ParkerIf you're going to work in the UK, you will probably be living in private accommodation, so it won't be quite so easy to meet people. But there are still things that you can do to help yourself. First of all, you can get involved in activities in your local community: join a group of some kind. For example, you'll probably find that there are theatre groups who might be looking for actors, set designers and so on. Or if you play an instrument, you could join music groups in your area. Or if you like the idea of finding out about local history, there'll be a group for that too. These are just examples.
John ParkerAnd the best places to get information about things like this are either the town hall or the public library. Libraries in the UK perform quite a broad range of functions nowadays. They're not just confined to lending books, although that's their main role, of course.
Step 1: read the questions
Questions 11–16. Answer the questions below. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
What TWO factors can make social contact in a foreign country difficult? 11 …… 12 ……
Which types of community group does the speaker give examples of? theatre, 13 …… 14 ……
In which TWO places can information about community activities be found? 15 …… 16 ……
- What is the talk probably about?
- How many parts does the talk have?
The three question groups show the three parts of the talk: difficulties with social contact, community groups, and places to get information about community activities.
Step 2: key words to follow the speaker
Click the key words you will listen out for in each question.
What TWO factors can make social contact in a foreign country difficult?
Which types of community group does the speaker give examples of?
In which TWO places can information about community activities be found?
Step 3: predict
Which of these are possible answers? (You will check which ones the speaker actually says.)
- 11–12: factors that make social contact difficult
- 13–14: types of community group
- 15–16: places to find information
All the questions need nouns. Questions 15–16 need places. Predicting the type of answer helps you notice the right words when you hear them.
Step 4: Questions 11–16
Now listen and answer. Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER. Each pair can be in either order.
- Factor:
- Factor:
- Group:
- Group:
- Place:
- Place:
- 11–12 language, customs “…not just because of the language, but because customs may be different.”
- 13–14 music (groups), local history (groups) “…you could join music groups… if you like the idea of finding out about local history there'll be a group for that too.” Theatre is already given.
- 15–16 (the) town hall, (the public) library “…the best places to get information about things like this are either the town hall or the public library.”
Your predictions (dance, sport, community centre…) were logical but not what the speaker said. Always write what you hear.
Strategy summary
- Read the questions to work out the topic and how the talk is organised.
- Check the word limit, and note questions that ask for TWO or THREE things.
- Underline the key words and listen for them (or synonyms) to follow the speaker.
- Predict the type of answer: a noun, a place, a number…
- Write exactly what you hear. Check spelling and the word limit.
Activities adapted from British Council IELTS teaching materials (takeielts.britishcouncil.org).