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IELTS Practice Listening: Match Headings ID: #57444 Easy Learning circle
Instructions ›

Complete the chart below.

Match the advantages of joining a learning circle to the person.

NOTE: there are more advantages listed than you will need.

Reasons for joining a learning circle given by:

Economics tutor: 1

Hamish: 2                                

Hamish:  3

Anita:  4

You will hear a conversation between two students discussing the idea of joining a learning circle. Now listen carefully and answer the questions. What's the reason for the learning circle you've set up, Hamish? Well, it wasn't my idea. The economics tutor suggested it, actually. He said that it's a good way to make sure you put in the time needed for a particular subject. But for me, well, I thought that studying in a group like that would give me some incentive to study. I really need a reason to learn, you know, motivation, especially in economics. Hmm, I guess study groups can give you discipline and motivation. They're both useful, but my biggest problem is that I'm finding economics quite difficult. I think I need extra help just to understand the material. A learning circle could help. I was thinking of even getting a private tutor. Private tutors can be expensive. You're welcome to join us and it won't cost you anything. Every week we're going to begin the session with problems and questions from material that we've been given in the lecture. We want the learning circle to be practical and worthwhile so that we all help each other to do well. Do you think the others in the group would mind if I joined as well? Of course not.
4 gaps
Options
commits to other students with a shared purpose
can provide motivation to study
commits time to study
can provide help with understanding subject material
can provide support for other students
saves the cost of an expensive tutor
AI explanationShows the answer. Tap to open.

Question Focus: Reason given by the economics tutor for setting up the learning circle

Why this is correct: The speaker explains that the economics tutor suggested the learning circle to make sure students put in the time. This clearly matches the idea of committing time to study.

Passage Reference: The economics tutor suggested it, actually. He said that it's a good way to make sure you put in the time needed for a particular subject.

Tips: Always check WHO gives the reason. Match the idea to the correct speaker.

Why the other options are wrong:

  • can provide motivation to study: Motivation is mentioned later, but that is Hamish's personal reason, not the tutor's reason. This is a wrong speaker trap.
  • can provide help with understanding subject material: Extra help is discussed by Anita, not the tutor. This is a context shift trap.

Key Vocabulary:

  • put in the time = spend enough study time
  • suggested = recommended

Question Focus: Hamish's personal reason for joining the learning circle

Passage Reference: But for me, well, I thought that studying in a group like that would give me some incentive to study. I really need a reason to learn, you know, motivation, especially in economics.

Why this is correct: Hamish clearly says he needs incentive and motivation, especially for economics. This directly matches can provide motivation to study.

Tips: Listen for personal phrases like "for me". They often signal the speaker's own reason.

Why the other options are wrong:

  • commits time to study: Time commitment was the tutor's reason, not Hamish's main focus. This is a wrong speaker trap.
  • can provide help with understanding subject material: Understanding the material is Anita's problem, not Hamish's. This is a context shift trap.

Key Vocabulary:

  • incentive = motivation
  • discipline = self-control

Question Focus: Another advantage of the learning circle mentioned by Hamish

Passage Reference: Private tutors can be expensive. You're welcome to join us and it won't cost you anything.

Why this is correct: Hamish contrasts the cost of a private tutor with the learning circle being free. This clearly means it saves the cost of an expensive tutor.

Tips: When you hear money words like cost or expensive, expect an option about saving money.

Why the other options are wrong:

  • can provide support for other students: Helping others is mentioned generally, but the focus here is on cost, not support. This is a partial truth trap.
  • commits to other students with a shared purpose: There is no mention of commitment to others here, only money. This is a paraphrase trap.

Key Vocabulary:

  • expensive = costly
  • won't cost you anything = free

Question Focus: Anita's main reason for joining the learning circle

Passage Reference: my biggest problem is that I'm finding economics quite difficult. I think I need extra help just to understand the material. A learning circle could help.

Why this is correct: Anita says she finds economics quite difficult and needs extra help to understand the material. This exactly matches can provide help with understanding subject material.

Tips: Listen for problem statements like "my biggest problem is". The answer usually follows.

Why the other options are wrong:

  • can provide motivation to study: Motivation is discussed earlier by Hamish, not Anita. This is a wrong speaker trap.
  • commits time to study: Anita talks about understanding, not time management. This is a paraphrase trap.

Key Vocabulary:

  • material = subject content
  • extra help = additional support

General Tips:

  • Questions follow the order of the recording, so use the previous answer to predict the next one.
  • Focus on WHO is speaking. Many wrong answers come from mixing up speakers.
  • Listen for signpost phrases like "for me" or "my biggest problem" to catch personal reasons.
  • Do not choose an option just because you hear a similar word. Check the meaning carefully.
  • Remember there are more options than you need, so eliminate clearly wrong ones as you listen.

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