LISTENING IELTS ACADEMIC TEST

Welcome to the IELTS Academic listening test! This is designed to assess your English proficiency and readiness for the real exam. Have fun and good luck! ❤️.

"When I become a Lasallian, I won't say anything, but there will be signs 🌟." Lasallian, please rearrange the following phrase: (Access code). live hearts!, Forever! Jesus ❤️ Long our in.

INSTRUCTIONS: Welcome! You are about to begin the IELTS Academic Listening practice test. The Listening test consists of 4 options, only one of which is correct. Read the transcript and answer all the questions. Then you can move on to the next section. .

Tips for listennig. 1. Read Regularly: Exposure to well-written English helps you recognize correct spelling naturally. 2. Practice Writing: Regularly write essays, reports, and summaries to practice spelling words in context. 3. Use Spelling Lists: Study lists of commonly misspelled words and IELTS-specific vocabulary. 4. Learn Rules and Patterns: Understand spelling rules and patterns in English, such as “-i before -e except after -c.” 5. Use Mnemonics: Create memory aids to help remember tricky spellings. 6. Break Words Down: Divide longer words into syllables or smaller parts to make them easier to spell. 7. Practice Dictation: Listen to spoken English and write down what you hear to improve both listening and spelling skills. 8. Review Common Mistakes: Identify and practice words you frequently misspell. 9. Use Online Tools: Leverage apps and websites for spelling practice and quizzes. 10. Get Feedback: Have someone review your writing and highlight spelling errors so you can learn from your mistakes. 11. Keep a Spelling Journal: Write down new or difficult words and review them regularly. 12. Read Aloud: Reading aloud can help reinforce correct spelling through auditory learning.

WHAT IS THE FORMAT OF THE IELTS LISTENING EXAM?. -The exam lasts for around half an hour. -In total, there are forty questions. -Every recording will only be heard once. -Before every recording, you have some time to read the questions. -After every recording, there will be an opportunity for you to go over your responses. -The recordings are arranged in increasing difficulty order.

1. How long does the IELTS listening exam last?. a) 45 minutes. b) Around 30 minutes. c) 1 hour. d) 20 minutes.

2. How many questions are there in total in the IELTS listening exam?. a) 25 questions. b) 50 questions. c) 40 questions. d) 35 questions.

3. How many times is each recording heard in the IELTS listening exam?. a) Twice. b) Once. c) Three times. d) Four times.

4. What happens before each recording in the IELTS listening exam?. a) A 5-minute break is given. b) Correct answers are provided. c) Time is given to read the questions. d) The previous recording is repeated.

5. What happens after each recording in the IELTS listening exam?. a) The recording is played again. b) The next section begins immediately. c) There is an opportunity to review your responses. d) Correct answers are given.

Remember: Based on the audio transcription, you must choose the option corresponding to the answer in the red-enclosed box. .

HIRING A MEETING ROOM Receptionist: Good afternoon. Even Meetings, how can I help? Kam: Oh, hello. My name's Kam, and I'm calling about hiring a meeting room. Receptionist: Certainly. Let's just check that your date is available before we go any further. When did you want to hire the room? Kam: Uh, for July... Oh, sorry, uh, June the 16th. Receptionist: Right, we've got plenty available then. Kam: Excellent. Now, we're a local business and we're planning to just walk from our office to your venue on the day, so can I just confirm the location with you? Receptionist: Yes, of course. We are on level 50. Kam: Yes? Receptionist: In the Macquarie Building. Kam: Oh, isn't that on Green Road by the lake? That's quite a distance from us. Receptionist: No, no, that's the old Macquarie Building. Now, we are in the city center. It's Level 16B, General Road, Portsville. Kam: Oh, would you mind spelling that for me? Receptionist: Certainly. It's G-E-M-B-O-R-O-U-G-H Road. Kam: Okay, thanks. Sorry, I'm new to the area. Select the word that completes 1). Gemborough. Green Road. Gemberough. Greem Road.

HIRING A MEETING ROOM PART 2 Receptionist: No problem. It's easy to find us. We're just beside the cinema, about two blocks from the State Library. Kam: Got it. Okay, I know the spot. That's perfect. It's an easy walk from our office. Receptionist: Great. So, let me run through a couple of options and we'll work out the best one for your needs. Kam: Perfect. Receptionist: So, I presume you need space for more than 10 people, right? Kam: Yes, probably around 30. Receptionist: Okay, well, there are two rooms that would probably suit you. One is the Governor Room, our most popular option actually. Kam: Okay, and how many can it hold? Receptionist: Well, we just had a meeting yesterday with 15 people, but it usually has around 25. We just can't have more than 35 people in there. Kam: Well, that sounds fine. Does it have all the usual things? Wi-Fi, projector? Receptionist: Yes, and it's also equipped with its own coffee machine, which is probably why it's so popular. Select the word that completes 2). library. cinema. swimming pool. Living room.

HIRING A MEETNG ROOM PART 3 Kam: Got it. Okay, I know the spot. That's perfect. It's an easy walk from our office. Receptionist: Great. So, let me run through a couple of options and we'll work out the best one for your needs. Kam: Perfect. Receptionist: So, I presume you need space for more than 10 people, right? Kam: Yes, probably around 30. Receptionist: Okay, well, there are two rooms that would probably suit you. One is the Governor Room, our most popular option actually. Kam: Okay, and how many can it hold? Receptionist: Well, we just had a meeting yesterday with 15 people, but it usually has around 25. We just can't have more than 35 people in there. Select the word that completes 3). 35. 30. 15. 20.

HIRING A MEETING ROOM PART 4 Kam: Okay, and how many can it hold? Receptionist: Well, we just had a meeting yesterday with 15 people, but it usually has around 25. We just can't have more than 35 people in there. Kam: Well, that sounds fine. Does it have all the usual things? Wi-Fi, projector? Receptionist: Yes, and it's also equipped with its own coffee machine, which is probably why it's so popular. Kam: Hmm, and the price? Receptionist: That one is 445 dollars for the day. Kam: Okay, and you said there was another one? Receptionist: There's also the State Room, another good option for you, but the maximum capacity is 30, so we might need to check your final numbers before locking that one in. Kam: Ah, yes. Receptionist: This one has its own restroom attached as well as a kitchen, which is quite handy and saves time during breaks. Kam: That's a good point. Receptionist: Oh, and an interactive whiteboard too, if you need that. Kam: Right, and is it more expensive than the first room? Receptionist: The State Room is 415 dollars. Quite a good deal. Kam: It is. Select the word that completes 4). Master bedroom. Living room. Kitchen. Bathroom.

HIRING A MEETING ROOM PART 5 Kam: Okay, and how many can it hold? Receptionist: Well, we just had a meeting yesterday with 15 people, but it usually has around 25. We just can't have more than 35 people in there. Kam: Well, that sounds fine. Does it have all the usual things? Wi-Fi, projector? Receptionist: Yes, and it's also equipped with its own coffee machine, which is probably why it's so popular. Kam: Hmm, and the price? Receptionist: That one is 445 dollars for the day. Kam: Okay, and you said there was another one? Receptionist: There's also the State Room, another good option for you, but the maximum capacity is 30, so we might need to check your final numbers before locking that one in. Kam: Ah, yes. Receptionist: This one has its own restroom attached as well as a kitchen, which is quite handy and saves time during breaks. Kam: That's a good point. Receptionist: Oh, and an interactive whiteboard too, if you need that. Kam: Right, and is it more expensive than the first room? Receptionist: The State Room is 415 dollars. Quite a good deal. Kam: It is. Select the word that completes 5). $415. $515. $405. $505.

LISTENING 2. .

THE SECRET GARDEN. Narrator: You will hear a conversation between a tutor and two students who are preparing for an English literature test. First, you have some time to look at questions 21 to 24 carefully and answer. Listen carefully and answer questions 21 to 24. Tutor: Hello, Lorna. Ian. Glad you could make it. You're the only two who put your names down for this literature tutorial. So let's get started, shall we? I want to run over some aspects of the novel, The Secret Garden, with you before the test next week. Be sure to take some notes and ask questions if you need to. Ian: Hey, Lorna, have you got a spare pen? Lorna: Sure. Here you are. Tutor: Okay. So the story follows two key characters. You should refer to them as protagonists who go by the names of Mary Lennox and Colin Craven. The story is set shortly after the turn of the 20th century and the narrative tracks the development of the protagonists as they learn to overcome their own personal troubles together. Lorna: That's quite a common storyline, isn't it? Tutor: Yes, you're right, Lorna. So, what can you tell me about the character of Mary? Lorna: Well, in the beginning, she is an angry, rude child who is orphaned after a cholera outbreak and forced to leave India and move to the United Kingdom to her uncle's house in Yorkshire. Tutor: That's right. And there she meets Colin, who spends his days in an isolated room, believing himself to be permanently crippled. With no hope of ever gaining the ability to walk, the two strike up a friendship and gradually learn by encouraging each other that they can both become healthy, happy, and fulfilled in life. Ian: Will we need to remember a lot of these details for the exam? Tutor: Just the basic outline. Examiners don't want to read a plot summary. They know what the book is about. Focus on narrative techniques instead, such as point of view. Lorna: What's that mean? Tutor: It's all about how we see the story. This story, for example, is written from the perspective of what is called an omniscient narrator. Omniscient means all-knowing. So, as readers, we get to see how all the characters feel about things, what they like and don't like, and what their motivations are in the story. Narrator: Before you hear the rest of the conversation, you have some time to look at questions 25 to . Now listen and answer questions 25 to . Ian: Won't it be hard to write a technical analysis? After all, it's a kids' book. Tutor: Well, it was initially pitched at adults, you know. But over the years it has become seen as a more youth-orientated work. And you're right, in a sense. The simple vocabulary and absence of foreshadowing make the story very easy to follow and ideally suited for children. But that doesn't mean there isn't much to analyse. Look at the symbolism, for instance. Lorna: Symbols are things, right? Material things, like objects that stand for abstract ideas. Tutor: Absolutely, yes. And the author uses many of them. There's the robin redbreast, for example, which symbolizes the wise and gentle nature that Mary will soon adopt. Note that the robin is described as not at all like the birds in India. Roses are used as well as a personal symbol for Mistress Craven. You'll see they're always mentioned alongside her name. And Mistress Craven's portrait can also be interpreted as a symbol of her spirit. Ian: Are symbols just another name for motifs? Tutor: No, motifs are a bit different. They don't have as direct a connection with something the way that a symbol does. Motifs are simply recurring elements of the story that support the mood. Lorna: Are there any in this novel? Tutor: Yes, two very important ones. The Garden of Eden is a motif. It comes up a few times in connection with the Garden of the story and then you've got the role that secrets play in the story. In the beginning, everything is steeped in secrecy and slowly the characters share their secrets and in the process move from darkness to lightness. Metaphorically, but also in the case of Colin, quite literally. His room in the beginning has the curtains drawn and he appears at the end in the brightness of the garden. Ian: Anything else we need to know about? Tutor: Yes. Nearly all novels explore universal concepts that everyone has experienced. Things like love, family, loneliness, and friendship. These are called themes. The Secret Garden has a few themes that all center on the idea of connections. The novel explores, for example, the way that health can determine and be determined by our outlook on life. As Colin's health improves, so too do his perceptions of his strength and possibility. The author also examines the link between our environment and our physical and emotional prosperity. The dark, cramped rooms of the manor house stifle the development of our protagonists. The garden and natural environments allow them to blossom just as the flowers do. Finally, this book looks at connections between individuals, namely Mary and Colin. This necessity of human companionship is the novel's most significant theme because none of their development as individuals would have occurred without their knowing each other. Ian: Well, that about sums it up. I think that's a great help. Thanks. Lorna: Yes, thanks very much. Narrator: That is the end of section three. You now have half a minute to check your answers.

Remember: Based on the audio transcription, you must choose the option corresponding to the answer in the red-enclosed box. .

Narrator: You will hear a conversation between a tutor and two students who are preparing for an English literature test. First, you have some time to look at questions 21 to 24 carefully and answer. Listen carefully and answer questions 21 to 24. Tutor: Hello, Lorna. Ian. Glad you could make it. You're the only two who put your names down for this literature tutorial. So let's get started, shall we? I want to run over some aspects of the novel, The Secret Garden, with you before the test next week. Be sure to take some notes and ask questions if you need to. Ian: Hey, Lorna, have you got a spare pen? Lorna: Sure. Here you are. Tutor: Okay. So the story follows two key characters. You should refer to them as protagonists who go by the names of Mary Lennox and Colin Craven. The story is set shortly after the turn of the 20th century and the narrative tracks the development of the protagonists as they learn to overcome their own personal troubles together. Lorna: That's quite a common storyline, isn't it? Tutor: Yes, you're right, Lorna. So, what can you tell me about the character of Mary? Lorna: Well, in the beginning, she is an angry, rude child who is orphaned after a cholera outbreak and forced to leave India and move to the United Kingdom to her uncle's house in Yorkshire. Tutor: That's right. And there she meets Colin, who spends his days in an isolated room, believing himself to be permanently crippled. With no hope of ever gaining the ability to walk, the two strike up a friendship and gradually learn by encouraging each other that they can both become healthy, happy, and fulfilled in life. Ian: Will we need to remember a lot of these details for the exam? Tutor: Just the basic outline. Examiners don't want to read a plot summary. They know what the book is about. Focus on narrative techniques instead, such as point of view. Lorna: What's that mean? Tutor: It's all about how we see the story. This story, for example, is written from the perspective of what is called an omniscient narrator. Omniscient means all-knowing. So, as readers, we get to see how all the characters feel about things, what they like and don't like, and what their motivations are in the story. Narrator: Before you hear the rest of the conversation, you have some time to look at questions 25 to . Now listen and answer questions 25 to . Ian: Won't it be hard to write a technical analysis? After all, it's a kids' book. Tutor: Well, it was initially pitched at adults, you know. But over the years it has become seen as a more youth-orientated work. And you're right, in a sense. The simple vocabulary and absence of foreshadowing make the story very easy to follow and ideally suited for children. But that doesn't mean there isn't much to analyse. Look at the symbolism, for instance. Lorna: Symbols are things, right? Material things, like objects that stand for abstract ideas. Tutor: Absolutely, yes. And the author uses many of them. There's the robin redbreast, for example, which symbolizes the wise and gentle nature that Mary will soon adopt. Note that the robin is described as not at all like the birds in India. Roses are used as well as a personal symbol for Mistress Craven. You'll see they're always mentioned alongside her name. And Mistress Craven's portrait can also be interpreted as a symbol of her spirit. Ian: Are symbols just another name for motifs? Tutor: No, motifs are a bit different. They don't have as direct a connection with something the way that a symbol does. Motifs are simply recurring elements of the story that support the mood. Lorna: Are there any in this novel? Tutor: Yes, two very important ones. The Garden of Eden is a motif. It comes up a few times in connection with the Garden of the story and then you've got the role that secrets play in the story. In the beginning, everything is steeped in secrecy and slowly the characters share their secrets and in the process move from darkness to lightness. Metaphorically, but also in the case of Colin, quite literally. His room in the beginning has the curtains drawn and he appears at the end in the brightness of the garden. Ian: Anything else we need to know about? Tutor: Yes. Nearly all novels explore universal concepts that everyone has experienced. Things like love, family, loneliness, and friendship. These are called themes. The Secret Garden has a few themes that all center on the idea of connections. The novel explores, for example, the way that health can determine and be determined by our outlook on life. As Colin's health improves, so too do his perceptions of his strength and possibility. The author also examines the link between our environment and our physical and emotional prosperity. The dark, cramped rooms of the manor house stifle the development of our protagonists. The garden and natural environments allow them to blossom just as the flowers do. Finally, this book looks at connections between individuals, namely Mary and Colin. This necessity of human companionship is the novel's most significant theme because none of their development as individuals would have occurred without their knowing each other. Ian: Well, that about sums it up. I think that's a great help. Thanks. Lorna: Yes, thanks very much. Narrator: That is the end of section three. You now have half a minute to check your answers. A) Pride and Prejudice. B) The Secret Garden. C) Great Expectations. D) Wuthering Heights.

Narrator: You will hear a conversation between a tutor and two students who are preparing for an English literature test. First, you have some time to look at questions 21 to 24 carefully and answer. Listen carefully and answer questions 21 to 24. Tutor: Hello, Lorna. Ian. Glad you could make it. You're the only two who put your names down for this literature tutorial. So let's get started, shall we? I want to run over some aspects of the novel, The Secret Garden, with you before the test next week. Be sure to take some notes and ask questions if you need to. Ian: Hey, Lorna, have you got a spare pen? Lorna: Sure. Here you are. Tutor: Okay. So the story follows two key characters. You should refer to them as protagonists who go by the names of Mary Lennox and Colin Craven. The story is set shortly after the turn of the 20th century and the narrative tracks the development of the protagonists as they learn to overcome their own personal troubles together. Lorna: That's quite a common storyline, isn't it? Tutor: Yes, you're right, Lorna. So, what can you tell me about the character of Mary? Lorna: Well, in the beginning, she is an angry, rude child who is orphaned after a cholera outbreak and forced to leave India and move to the United Kingdom to her uncle's house in Yorkshire. Tutor: That's right. And there she meets Colin, who spends his days in an isolated room, believing himself to be permanently crippled. With no hope of ever gaining the ability to walk, the two strike up a friendship and gradually learn by encouraging each other that they can both become healthy, happy, and fulfilled in life. Ian: Will we need to remember a lot of these details for the exam? Tutor: Just the basic outline. Examiners don't want to read a plot summary. They know what the book is about. Focus on narrative techniques instead, such as point of view. Lorna: What's that mean? Tutor: It's all about how we see the story. This story, for example, is written from the perspective of what is called an omniscient narrator. Omniscient means all-knowing. So, as readers, we get to see how all the characters feel about things, what they like and don't like, and what their motivations are in the story. Narrator: Before you hear the rest of the conversation, you have some time to look at questions 25 to . Now listen and answer questions 25 to . Ian: Won't it be hard to write a technical analysis? After all, it's a kids' book. Tutor: Well, it was initially pitched at adults, you know. But over the years it has become seen as a more youth-orientated work. And you're right, in a sense. The simple vocabulary and absence of foreshadowing make the story very easy to follow and ideally suited for children. But that doesn't mean there isn't much to analyse. Look at the symbolism, for instance. Lorna: Symbols are things, right? Material things, like objects that stand for abstract ideas. Tutor: Absolutely, yes. And the author uses many of them. There's the robin redbreast, for example, which symbolizes the wise and gentle nature that Mary will soon adopt. Note that the robin is described as not at all like the birds in India. Roses are used as well as a personal symbol for Mistress Craven. You'll see they're always mentioned alongside her name. And Mistress Craven's portrait can also be interpreted as a symbol of her spirit. Ian: Are symbols just another name for motifs? Tutor: No, motifs are a bit different. They don't have as direct a connection with something the way that a symbol does. Motifs are simply recurring elements of the story that support the mood. Lorna: Are there any in this novel? Tutor: Yes, two very important ones. The Garden of Eden is a motif. It comes up a few times in connection with the Garden of the story and then you've got the role that secrets play in the story. In the beginning, everything is steeped in secrecy and slowly the characters share their secrets and in the process move from darkness to lightness. Metaphorically, but also in the case of Colin, quite literally. His room in the beginning has the curtains drawn and he appears at the end in the brightness of the garden. Ian: Anything else we need to know about? Tutor: Yes. Nearly all novels explore universal concepts that everyone has experienced. Things like love, family, loneliness, and friendship. These are called themes. The Secret Garden has a few themes that all center on the idea of connections. The novel explores, for example, the way that health can determine and be determined by our outlook on life. As Colin's health improves, so too do his perceptions of his strength and possibility. The author also examines the link between our environment and our physical and emotional prosperity. The dark, cramped rooms of the manor house stifle the development of our protagonists. The garden and natural environments allow them to blossom just as the flowers do. Finally, this book looks at connections between individuals, namely Mary and Colin. This necessity of human companionship is the novel's most significant theme because none of their development as individuals would have occurred without their knowing each other. Ian: Well, that about sums it up. I think that's a great help. Thanks. Lorna: Yes, thanks very much. Narrator: That is the end of section three. You now have half a minute to check your answers. A) Early in the 18th century. B) Early in the 20th century. C) Early in the 21st century. D) Early in the 19th century.

Narrator: You will hear a conversation between a tutor and two students who are preparing for an English literature test. First, you have some time to look at questions 21 to 24 carefully and answer. Listen carefully and answer questions 21 to 24. Tutor: Hello, Lorna. Ian. Glad you could make it. You're the only two who put your names down for this literature tutorial. So let's get started, shall we? I want to run over some aspects of the novel, The Secret Garden, with you before the test next week. Be sure to take some notes and ask questions if you need to. Ian: Hey, Lorna, have you got a spare pen? Lorna: Sure. Here you are. Tutor: Okay. So the story follows two key characters. You should refer to them as protagonists who go by the names of Mary Lennox and Colin Craven. The story is set shortly after the turn of the 20th century and the narrative tracks the development of the protagonists as they learn to overcome their own personal troubles together. Lorna: That's quite a common storyline, isn't it? Tutor: Yes, you're right, Lorna. So, what can you tell me about the character of Mary? Lorna: Well, in the beginning, she is an angry, rude child who is orphaned after a cholera outbreak and forced to leave India and move to the United Kingdom to her uncle's house in Yorkshire. Tutor: That's right. And there she meets Colin, who spends his days in an isolated room, believing himself to be permanently crippled. With no hope of ever gaining the ability to walk, the two strike up a friendship and gradually learn by encouraging each other that they can both become healthy, happy, and fulfilled in life. Ian: Will we need to remember a lot of these details for the exam? Tutor: Just the basic outline. Examiners don't want to read a plot summary. They know what the book is about. Focus on narrative techniques instead, such as point of view. Lorna: What's that mean? Tutor: It's all about how we see the story. This story, for example, is written from the perspective of what is called an omniscient narrator. Omniscient means all-knowing. So, as readers, we get to see how all the characters feel about things, what they like and don't like, and what their motivations are in the story. Narrator: Before you hear the rest of the conversation, you have some time to look at questions 25 to . Now listen and answer questions 25 to . Ian: Won't it be hard to write a technical analysis? After all, it's a kids' book. Tutor: Well, it was initially pitched at adults, you know. But over the years it has become seen as a more youth-orientated work. And you're right, in a sense. The simple vocabulary and absence of foreshadowing make the story very easy to follow and ideally suited for children. But that doesn't mean there isn't much to analyse. Look at the symbolism, for instance. Lorna: Symbols are things, right? Material things, like objects that stand for abstract ideas. Tutor: Absolutely, yes. And the author uses many of them. There's the robin redbreast, for example, which symbolizes the wise and gentle nature that Mary will soon adopt. Note that the robin is described as not at all like the birds in India. Roses are used as well as a personal symbol for Mistress Craven. You'll see they're always mentioned alongside her name. And Mistress Craven's portrait can also be interpreted as a symbol of her spirit. Ian: Are symbols just another name for motifs? Tutor: No, motifs are a bit different. They don't have as direct a connection with something the way that a symbol does. Motifs are simply recurring elements of the story that support the mood. Lorna: Are there any in this novel? Tutor: Yes, two very important ones. The Garden of Eden is a motif. It comes up a few times in connection with the Garden of the story and then you've got the role that secrets play in the story. In the beginning, everything is steeped in secrecy and slowly the characters share their secrets and in the process move from darkness to lightness. Metaphorically, but also in the case of Colin, quite literally. His room in the beginning has the curtains drawn and he appears at the end in the brightness of the garden. Ian: Anything else we need to know about? Tutor: Yes. Nearly all novels explore universal concepts that everyone has experienced. Things like love, family, loneliness, and friendship. These are called themes. The Secret Garden has a few themes that all center on the idea of connections. The novel explores, for example, the way that health can determine and be determined by our outlook on life. As Colin's health improves, so too do his perceptions of his strength and possibility. The author also examines the link between our environment and our physical and emotional prosperity. The dark, cramped rooms of the manor house stifle the development of our protagonists. The garden and natural environments allow them to blossom just as the flowers do. Finally, this book looks at connections between individuals, namely Mary and Colin. This necessity of human companionship is the novel's most significant theme because none of their development as individuals would have occurred without their knowing each other. Ian: Well, that about sums it up. I think that's a great help. Thanks. Lorna: Yes, thanks very much. Narrator: That is the end of section three. You now have half a minute to check your answers. A) See. B) Speak. C) Walk. D) Hear.

Narrator: You will hear a conversation between a tutor and two students who are preparing for an English literature test. First, you have some time to look at questions 21 to 24 carefully and answer. Listen carefully and answer questions 21 to 24. Tutor: Hello, Lorna. Ian. Glad you could make it. You're the only two who put your names down for this literature tutorial. So let's get started, shall we? I want to run over some aspects of the novel, The Secret Garden, with you before the test next week. Be sure to take some notes and ask questions if you need to. Ian: Hey, Lorna, have you got a spare pen? Lorna: Sure. Here you are. Tutor: Okay. So the story follows two key characters. You should refer to them as protagonists who go by the names of Mary Lennox and Colin Craven. The story is set shortly after the turn of the 20th century and the narrative tracks the development of the protagonists as they learn to overcome their own personal troubles together. Lorna: That's quite a common storyline, isn't it? Tutor: Yes, you're right, Lorna. So, what can you tell me about the character of Mary? Lorna: Well, in the beginning, she is an angry, rude child who is orphaned after a cholera outbreak and forced to leave India and move to the United Kingdom to her uncle's house in Yorkshire. Tutor: That's right. And there she meets Colin, who spends his days in an isolated room, believing himself to be permanently crippled. With no hope of ever gaining the ability to walk, the two strike up a friendship and gradually learn by encouraging each other that they can both become healthy, happy, and fulfilled in life. Ian: Will we need to remember a lot of these details for the exam? Tutor: Just the basic outline. Examiners don't want to read a plot summary. They know what the book is about. Focus on narrative techniques instead, such as point of view. Lorna: What's that mean? Tutor: It's all about how we see the story. This story, for example, is written from the perspective of what is called an omniscient narrator. Omniscient means all-knowing. So, as readers, we get to see how all the characters feel about things, what they like and don't like, and what their motivations are in the story. Narrator: Before you hear the rest of the conversation, you have some time to look at questions 25 to . Now listen and answer questions 25 to . Ian: Won't it be hard to write a technical analysis? After all, it's a kids' book. Tutor: Well, it was initially pitched at adults, you know. But over the years it has become seen as a more youth-orientated work. And you're right, in a sense. The simple vocabulary and absence of foreshadowing make the story very easy to follow and ideally suited for children. But that doesn't mean there isn't much to analyse. Look at the symbolism, for instance. Lorna: Symbols are things, right? Material things, like objects that stand for abstract ideas. Tutor: Absolutely, yes. And the author uses many of them. There's the robin redbreast, for example, which symbolizes the wise and gentle nature that Mary will soon adopt. Note that the robin is described as not at all like the birds in India. Roses are used as well as a personal symbol for Mistress Craven. You'll see they're always mentioned alongside her name. And Mistress Craven's portrait can also be interpreted as a symbol of her spirit. Ian: Are symbols just another name for motifs? Tutor: No, motifs are a bit different. They don't have as direct a connection with something the way that a symbol does. Motifs are simply recurring elements of the story that support the mood. Lorna: Are there any in this novel? Tutor: Yes, two very important ones. The Garden of Eden is a motif. It comes up a few times in connection with the Garden of the story and then you've got the role that secrets play in the story. In the beginning, everything is steeped in secrecy and slowly the characters share their secrets and in the process move from darkness to lightness. Metaphorically, but also in the case of Colin, quite literally. His room in the beginning has the curtains drawn and he appears at the end in the brightness of the garden. Ian: Anything else we need to know about? Tutor: Yes. Nearly all novels explore universal concepts that everyone has experienced. Things like love, family, loneliness, and friendship. These are called themes. The Secret Garden has a few themes that all center on the idea of connections. The novel explores, for example, the way that health can determine and be determined by our outlook on life. As Colin's health improves, so too do his perceptions of his strength and possibility. The author also examines the link between our environment and our physical and emotional prosperity. The dark, cramped rooms of the manor house stifle the development of our protagonists. The garden and natural environments allow them to blossom just as the flowers do. Finally, this book looks at connections between individuals, namely Mary and Colin. This necessity of human companionship is the novel's most significant theme because none of their development as individuals would have occurred without their knowing each other. Ian: Well, that about sums it up. I think that's a great help. Thanks. Lorna: Yes, thanks very much. Narrator: That is the end of section three. You now have half a minute to check your answers. A) Their dreams. B) Their secrets. C) Their feelings, opinions, and motivations. D) Their future.

Narrator: You will hear a conversation between a tutor and two students who are preparing for an English literature test. First, you have some time to look at questions 21 to 24 carefully and answer. Listen carefully and answer questions 21 to 24. Tutor: Hello, Lorna. Ian. Glad you could make it. You're the only two who put your names down for this literature tutorial. So let's get started, shall we? I want to run over some aspects of the novel, The Secret Garden, with you before the test next week. Be sure to take some notes and ask questions if you need to. Ian: Hey, Lorna, have you got a spare pen? Lorna: Sure. Here you are. Tutor: Okay. So the story follows two key characters. You should refer to them as protagonists who go by the names of Mary Lennox and Colin Craven. The story is set shortly after the turn of the 20th century and the narrative tracks the development of the protagonists as they learn to overcome their own personal troubles together. Lorna: That's quite a common storyline, isn't it? Tutor: Yes, you're right, Lorna. So, what can you tell me about the character of Mary? Lorna: Well, in the beginning, she is an angry, rude child who is orphaned after a cholera outbreak and forced to leave India and move to the United Kingdom to her uncle's house in Yorkshire. Tutor: That's right. And there she meets Colin, who spends his days in an isolated room, believing himself to be permanently crippled. With no hope of ever gaining the ability to walk, the two strike up a friendship and gradually learn by encouraging each other that they can both become healthy, happy, and fulfilled in life. Ian: Will we need to remember a lot of these details for the exam? Tutor: Just the basic outline. Examiners don't want to read a plot summary. They know what the book is about. Focus on narrative techniques instead, such as point of view. Lorna: What's that mean? Tutor: It's all about how we see the story. This story, for example, is written from the perspective of what is called an omniscient narrator. Omniscient means all-knowing. So, as readers, we get to see how all the characters feel about things, what they like and don't like, and what their motivations are in the story. Narrator: Before you hear the rest of the conversation, you have some time to look at questions 25 to . Now listen and answer questions 25 to . Ian: Won't it be hard to write a technical analysis? After all, it's a kids' book. Tutor: Well, it was initially pitched at adults, you know. But over the years it has become seen as a more youth-orientated work. And you're right, in a sense. The simple vocabulary and absence of foreshadowing make the story very easy to follow and ideally suited for children. But that doesn't mean there isn't much to analyse. Look at the symbolism, for instance. Lorna: Symbols are things, right? Material things, like objects that stand for abstract ideas. Tutor: Absolutely, yes. And the author uses many of them. There's the robin redbreast, for example, which symbolizes the wise and gentle nature that Mary will soon adopt. Note that the robin is described as not at all like the birds in India. Roses are used as well as a personal symbol for Mistress Craven. You'll see they're always mentioned alongside her name. And Mistress Craven's portrait can also be interpreted as a symbol of her spirit. Ian: Are symbols just another name for motifs? Tutor: No, motifs are a bit different. They don't have as direct a connection with something the way that a symbol does. Motifs are simply recurring elements of the story that support the mood. Lorna: Are there any in this novel? Tutor: Yes, two very important ones. The Garden of Eden is a motif. It comes up a few times in connection with the Garden of the story and then you've got the role that secrets play in the story. In the beginning, everything is steeped in secrecy and slowly the characters share their secrets and in the process move from darkness to lightness. Metaphorically, but also in the case of Colin, quite literally. His room in the beginning has the curtains drawn and he appears at the end in the brightness of the garden. Ian: Anything else we need to know about? Tutor: Yes. Nearly all novels explore universal concepts that everyone has experienced. Things like love, family, loneliness, and friendship. These are called themes. The Secret Garden has a few themes that all center on the idea of connections. The novel explores, for example, the way that health can determine and be determined by our outlook on life. As Colin's health improves, so too do his perceptions of his strength and possibility. The author also examines the link between our environment and our physical and emotional prosperity. The dark, cramped rooms of the manor house stifle the development of our protagonists. The garden and natural environments allow them to blossom just as the flowers do. Finally, this book looks at connections between individuals, namely Mary and Colin. This necessity of human companionship is the novel's most significant theme because none of their development as individuals would have occurred without their knowing each other. Ian: Well, that about sums it up. I think that's a great help. Thanks. Lorna: Yes, thanks very much. Narrator: That is the end of section three. You now have half a minute to check your answers. A) Historical events. B) Physical health. C) Abstract ideas. D) Geographical locations.

Narrator: You will hear a conversation between a tutor and two students who are preparing for an English literature test. First, you have some time to look at questions 21 to 24 carefully and answer. Listen carefully and answer questions 21 to 24. Tutor: Hello, Lorna. Ian. Glad you could make it. You're the only two who put your names down for this literature tutorial. So let's get started, shall we? I want to run over some aspects of the novel, The Secret Garden, with you before the test next week. Be sure to take some notes and ask questions if you need to. Ian: Hey, Lorna, have you got a spare pen? Lorna: Sure. Here you are. Tutor: Okay. So the story follows two key characters. You should refer to them as protagonists who go by the names of Mary Lennox and Colin Craven. The story is set shortly after the turn of the 20th century and the narrative tracks the development of the protagonists as they learn to overcome their own personal troubles together. Lorna: That's quite a common storyline, isn't it? Tutor: Yes, you're right, Lorna. So, what can you tell me about the character of Mary? Lorna: Well, in the beginning, she is an angry, rude child who is orphaned after a cholera outbreak and forced to leave India and move to the United Kingdom to her uncle's house in Yorkshire. Tutor: That's right. And there she meets Colin, who spends his days in an isolated room, believing himself to be permanently crippled. With no hope of ever gaining the ability to walk, the two strike up a friendship and gradually learn by encouraging each other that they can both become healthy, happy, and fulfilled in life. Ian: Will we need to remember a lot of these details for the exam? Tutor: Just the basic outline. Examiners don't want to read a plot summary. They know what the book is about. Focus on narrative techniques instead, such as point of view. Lorna: What's that mean? Tutor: It's all about how we see the story. This story, for example, is written from the perspective of what is called an omniscient narrator. Omniscient means all-knowing. So, as readers, we get to see how all the characters feel about things, what they like and don't like, and what their motivations are in the story. Narrator: Before you hear the rest of the conversation, you have some time to look at questions 25 to . Now listen and answer questions 25 to . Ian: Won't it be hard to write a technical analysis? After all, it's a kids' book. Tutor: Well, it was initially pitched at adults, you know. But over the years it has become seen as a more youth-orientated work. And you're right, in a sense. The simple vocabulary and absence of foreshadowing make the story very easy to follow and ideally suited for children. But that doesn't mean there isn't much to analyse. Look at the symbolism, for instance. Lorna: Symbols are things, right? Material things, like objects that stand for abstract ideas. Tutor: Absolutely, yes. And the author uses many of them. There's the robin redbreast, for example, which symbolizes the wise and gentle nature that Mary will soon adopt. Note that the robin is described as not at all like the birds in India. Roses are used as well as a personal symbol for Mistress Craven. You'll see they're always mentioned alongside her name. And Mistress Craven's portrait can also be interpreted as a symbol of her spirit. Ian: Are symbols just another name for motifs? Tutor: No, motifs are a bit different. They don't have as direct a connection with something the way that a symbol does. Motifs are simply recurring elements of the story that support the mood. Lorna: Are there any in this novel? Tutor: Yes, two very important ones. The Garden of Eden is a motif. It comes up a few times in connection with the Garden of the story and then you've got the role that secrets play in the story. In the beginning, everything is steeped in secrecy and slowly the characters share their secrets and in the process move from darkness to lightness. Metaphorically, but also in the case of Colin, quite literally. His room in the beginning has the curtains drawn and he appears at the end in the brightness of the garden. Ian: Anything else we need to know about? Tutor: Yes. Nearly all novels explore universal concepts that everyone has experienced. Things like love, family, loneliness, and friendship. These are called themes. The Secret Garden has a few themes that all center on the idea of connections. The novel explores, for example, the way that health can determine and be determined by our outlook on life. As Colin's health improves, so too do his perceptions of his strength and possibility. The author also examines the link between our environment and our physical and emotional prosperity. The dark, cramped rooms of the manor house stifle the development of our protagonists. The garden and natural environments allow them to blossom just as the flowers do. Finally, this book looks at connections between individuals, namely Mary and Colin. This necessity of human companionship is the novel's most significant theme because none of their development as individuals would have occurred without their knowing each other. Ian: Well, that about sums it up. I think that's a great help. Thanks. Lorna: Yes, thanks very much. Narrator: That is the end of section three. You now have half a minute to check your answers. A) The robin redbreast. B) The roses. C) The golden key. D) The portrait of Mistress Craven.

The only goal you can't accomplish is the one you don't go after. .