[IELTS 5.] Unit 16.1 - Reading & Listening

You are going to hear a conversation between Chi Wen, a student from Hong Kong who is studying in Australia, and her homestay host Mrs. Smith. Listen and fill in the gaps.

1. I can introduce 1.1 to a friend of 1.2, Yi Ling.

2. I know 1.3's really enjoying 1.4 here in Australia.

3. Now, I have had a lot of students staying with 1.5 over the years and I do have a few rules.

4. First of all, my husband and 1.6 want everyone to feel at home so 1.7 treat everyone like 1.8 were a member of our own family.

5. And what about other meals? Can I cook for 1.9?

6. Yes, everyone makes their own breakfast. I do the shopping, and I always make sure there is plenty of food in the fridge so 1.10 can prepare 1.11 a packed lunch if you like.

7. I expect everyone to wash and iron for 1.12.

8. Can I use 1.13 to make local a couple of calls?

You will hear six short conversations, where one person is explaining to another how to find different places on campus. Complete the sentences as you listen. Pay attention to your spelling and grammar, and write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS.

1. The Sports Centre is on the other side 2.1.

2. The lecture theatre in the Law School is on 2.2.

3. To reach the Business School, you take the footpath 2.3.

4. The theatre is 2.4.

5. The nearest bus stop is opposite the 2.5.

6. The bank is 2.6 to the shop.

Listen to Sandra and Tom talking about the facilities on campus and answer the questions. Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS.

1. Which floor is the library coffee shop on? 3.1

2. What does Sandra like to do there? 3.2

3. Where is the silent zone? 3.3

4. Where does Tom live? 3.4

5. How many people live in Sandra's house? 3.5

6. What does Tom often do near Sandra's house? 3.6

Listen to two students talking about the different food outlets on a university campus and label the plan below.

(1) 4.1

(2) 4.2

(3) 4.3

You will hear Lily explaining to Chen how to use the library. Label the plan of the library.

(1) 5.1

(2) 5.2

(3) 5.3

(4) 5.4

Listen to the next part of the recording and complete the sentences. Write only TWO WORDS.

5. First look up the title in the 6.1.

6. The class mark is one or two letters and 6.2.

7. The 6.3 shows you where to look for the books.

Listen to the last part of the recording and answer the questions. WRITE NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS.

8. What do you need to scan first? 7.1

9. What does the scanner do when you scan a book? 7.2

10. What does the system do at the end? 7.3

Read the passage and complete each sentence with the correct ending A-I.

Participating in the school community

It is important that students' feelings, opinions and suggestions are listened to, taken into account, and that the right action is taken. There are a number of ways that this can be achieved, i.e. school councils, year councils and peer mentoring.

School councils

Most schools have a school council which exists to let the teachers and head teacher know what students' opinions are on a range of school issues. The school council usually consists of two or three elected representatives from each year group.
A school council might meet once or twice a month to discuss issues such as the dress code, the use of social areas, charity fundraising and bullying.

Year councils

Because school councils are sometimes dominated by older students, some schools have introduced year councils. The aim of a year council is to give students the opportunity to express opinions on matters of importance to that particular year group. The following is an example of the rules relating to a school's council for year 8 (pupils aged 12-13).

1. The council's purpose is to act as a forum for discussion of school issues relevant to Year 8, and to let the teachers and head teacher know what student opinion is on these issues. The council will also take responsibility for cooperating with year staff in the organization of one social event per term for Year 8.
2. Membership of the council will consist of three representatives from each class, elected on a termly basis.
3. Meetings will be held once a fortnight. The council members will elect a chair to control the meetings and a secretary who will be responsible for circulating the agenda for each meeting and taking and circulating minutes of meetings.
4. The class representatives will be responsible for giving a report of the council's meetings to their class. Agenda and minutes of meetings will be put up in each classroom.
5. The Year 8 council will elect two of its members to be members of the school council, with responsibility for raising issues on behalf of Year 8 students at school council meetings.
6. The chair, secretary and school council representatives will be responsible for taking up matters raised at council meetings with the year head and other teachers, and for reporting back on such matters to the Year 8 council.
7. The head of year will attend all council meetings as an observer and both they and the other year staff will be available as required to offer support and advice to council members and to assist in the settlement of disputes.

Peer mentoring

There are other ways in which students' voices can be heard. One of the most popular schemes involves peer mentoring. Those who express an interest receive training to become mentors so that they are better equipped to help others. This starts from primary school age, when the mentors may get involved in issues related to conflict resolution. At secondary school and at university, mentors are likely to deal with a larger variety of issues, such as educational and health-related matters.

The underlying belief in schemes like these is that being heard by your peers can be more effective and helpful as fellow students may have more time and understanding than teachers or others in authority.

1. Students' views are likely to be taken seriously if there are 8.1.

2. Rules related to uniform are most likely to be discussed at 8.2.

3. Year councils may get involved in 8.3.

4. In the Year 8 council that is mentioned, teachers make sure that students are 8.4.

5. Those in power are 8.5.