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IELTS Practice Listening: Note/Summary Completion Diagram ID: #57447 Easy Shark tagging
Instructions ›

Complete the flow chart.

Write one word only for each answer.

Flow chart

You will hear a lecture about a research project involving the tagging and tracking of tiger sharks. Now listen carefully and answer the questions. The first step was to tag a number of sharks so that we could follow their movements. To do this, we first needed to catch the sharks. Early in the morning, we baited lines with large bits of fish and set them in place. These lines were then checked every three or four hours. If no sharks were caught, the baits were replaced. Once a shark had been caught on one of the baited hooks, it was pulled in close to the boat and secured so that we could carry out a number of brief activities to aid our research. This usually took no more than about 10 minutes and was carried out as carefully as possible to minimize any stress to the shark. Each of the tiger sharks that we caught was measured and fitted with an identification tag, and also a small amount of tissue was taken for genetic studies. For some larger sharks over 3 meters long, we also inserted into the belly a special acoustic tag capable of sending satellite signals, while on other large sharks we attached a camera to the dorsal fin, to enable us to study the behavior and habitat use of the sharks. After this, the shark was released, and we were able to follow its movements. So what was the purpose of all this tagging? Well, while we were already familiar with some aspects of the tiger shark's behavior and food sources, What we hoped to do in this project was to see exactly what factors affected the migration patterns of tiger sharks and whether it was, in fact, food, weather and reproductive needs. These are some of our findings. On February 21st, a large female shark, whom we named Natalie, was attracted to our research boat at the northern tip of Raine Island and fitted with one of the satellite tags I've just mentioned. No transmissions were received from Natalie between April 2nd and April 29th, indicating that she didn't surface to feed during this period. The area in which she was last reported is very shallow, suggesting that she may have changed her feeding preferences during this period to focus on prey found on the sea floor. We also made a number of other discoveries, thanks to the various transmitters we used. It seems that tiger sharks move back and forth between the ocean floor and the surface quite often. This may help the sharks conserve energy while they swim, but it probably also helps them hunt, since this movement back and forth maximizes its chances of not being detected by its prey until the last minute. So far, our findings have not been conclusive. However, we have gained some very interesting insights into the behaviour of tiger sharks and are now hoping to develop our research further. That is the end of Section 4. You now have half a minute to check your answers.
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Diagram
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Question Focus: Synonym match - diagram shows what the lines are baited with

Correct Answer: fish

Why this is correct: At the start of the process, the speaker explains how they catch the sharks. You hear that the lines were baited with fish, which matches the first box in the flow chart.

Passage Reference: Early in the morning, we baited lines with large bits of fish and set them in place.

Common Mistake: Some students write bait because it is mentioned, but the question asks what the bait was. The speaker clearly specifies fish. This is a partial truth trap.

Paraphrasing: Transcript: 'baited lines with large bits of fish' = Diagram: 'lines baited with ____'

Tips: Listen for concrete nouns in process diagrams. They are often simple words like food, tools, or objects.

Key Vocabulary:

  • baited = put food on hooks
  • bits = pieces

Question Focus: Synonym match - diagram shows what happens regularly to the lines

Correct Answer: checked

Passage Reference: These lines were then checked every three or four hours.

Why this is correct: The speaker explains the routine after the lines are set. You hear that the lines were checked every three or four hours, which matches this step in the flow chart.

Common Mistake: Students sometimes write replaced because baits are replaced later. But replacement only happens if no sharks are caught. This is a sequence trap.

Paraphrasing: Transcript: 'lines were then checked every three or four hours' = Diagram: 'lines are ____ regularly'

Tips: Follow the order carefully. Diagrams always move step by step in the same order as the recording.

Key Vocabulary:

  • checked = inspected
  • routine = regular process

Question Focus: Synonym match - diagram shows where the shark is pulled

Correct Answer: boat

Passage Reference: Once a shark had been caught on one of the baited hooks, it was pulled in close to the boat and secured

Why this is correct: After a shark is caught, the speaker describes moving it nearer for research activities. You hear that it was pulled in close to the boat, which matches the diagram label.

Common Mistake: Some students write research boat or ship, which adds extra words or changes the exact wording. You must use the exact transcript word. This is a word limit trap.

Paraphrasing: Transcript: 'pulled in close to the boat' = Diagram: 'shark pulled to ____'

Tips: Do not add extra descriptive words. One-word answers must be copied exactly.

Key Vocabulary:

  • secured = held safely
  • pulled in = moved closer

Question Focus: Distractor trap - two types of equipment are mentioned

Correct Answer: camera

Passage Reference: while on other large sharks we attached a camera to the dorsal fin

Why this is correct: The speaker explains that different sharks had different devices. For some, they attached a camera, which is what the diagram shows at this stage.

Common Mistake: Students sometimes write tag or satellite because those are mentioned earlier. But here, the speaker switches to a different device. This is a context shift trap.

Paraphrasing: Transcript: 'attached a camera to the dorsal fin' = Diagram: '____ attached to fin'

Tips: Listen for contrast words like 'while' or 'on other'. They often signal a new answer.

Key Vocabulary:

  • attached = fixed onto
  • dorsal fin = top fin

Question Focus: Synonym match - final step of the process

Correct Answer: released

Passage Reference: After this, the shark was released, and we were able to follow its movements.

Why this is correct: At the end of the process, the speaker explains what happens next. You hear clearly that the shark was released, which matches the final box in the flow chart.

Common Mistake: Some students write followed because it is mentioned next, but that happens after release. This is a sequence trap.

Paraphrasing: Transcript: 'the shark was released' = Diagram: 'shark ____'

Tips: The last box in a flow chart is often marked by phrases like 'after this' or 'finally'.

Key Vocabulary:

  • released = let go
  • movements = travel

General Tips:

  • Flow chart questions follow the exact order of the recording. Use the previous answer to know when the next one is coming.
  • Always check the word limit. One extra word means zero marks.
  • Copy the exact word you hear. Do not change it to a synonym unless the answer list allows it.
  • Watch for sequence words like 'first', 'once', 'after this'. They guide you through the process.
  • In diagrams, focus on concrete actions and objects rather than long explanations.

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