# Dissertation Q&A Session: answers and explanations

Cambridge IELTS 2, Test 3, Listening Part 3

Source: Recording, questions and answer key from Cambridge IELTS 2, Test 3, Listening Part 3. © Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Used for educational practice. Explanations and evidence notes are written by Testmigo.

## Answer key

| Q | Answer | Proof |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 21 | 21 May | I can confirm that that's the 21st of May, not the 20th as we first stated. |
| 22 | 18000 and 20000 | in broad terms it's 18 to 20,000. |
| 23 | research methods | there's a special program running on research methods for anyone who wants some extra help |
| 24 | draft plan | your draft plan is due on the seventh of February. |
| 25 | do research | And when do we have to be doing the research? ... essentially February to March |
| 26 | March and May | so that's really March to May |
| 27 | A | I know it's a massive expense, but I really feel it would be of great benefit. |
| 28 | A | But yes, it really is the best guide you can have |
| 29 | C | but to be frank, they tell you very little else. ... Avoid them. |
| 30 | B | I don't see why not. ... They don't have any special contribution to make, but you can if you want. |

## Why these answers are right

**21. 21 May.** The hand-in date comes up when Andy asks whether it is fixed. Dr Simon confirms it is the 21st of May, not the 20th as first stated. Write 21 May; the 20th is the old date he corrects, so it does not belong in the table.

**22. 18000 and 20000.** The table asks for the length in words. Jane asks about the word limit, and the tutor says they are flexible but that broadly it is 18 to 20,000. The 18 is short for 18,000, so the two figures are 18000 and 20000.

**23. research methods.** You need the subject of the extra program. The tutor tells Jane that a special program is running on research methods for anyone who wants extra help. Research methods is two words, within the three-word limit, and names what is offered.

The why and the trap for questions 24 onwards are free with an account on the [answers page](https://testmigo.com/ielts/listening/dissertation-q-and-a-session/answers).

## Transcript

**Announcer:** Section 3, you will hear a tutor, Doctor Simon, talking to some of his students about writing a dissertation.

**Announcer:** First, you have some time to look at questions 21 to 26.

**Announcer:** Now listen to the discussion and answer questions 21 to 26.

**Dr Simon:** Uh, OK, yeah.

**Dr Simon:** Welcome back to the new term.

**Dr Simon:** I hope you've had a good break, and that you're looking forward to writing your dissertation.

**Dr Simon:** Hmm.

**Dr Simon:** Now, what I'd like to do in this session is give you the opportunity to ask questions on writing the dissertation.

**Dr Simon:** Uh. Requirements, milestones, who to see when you need help.

**Dr Simon:** It's very informal.

**Dr Simon:** It may all be written on paper, but it's nice to get it confirmed.

**Dr Simon:** So, um, anything you'd like to ask?

**Andy:** Uh. Doctor Simon.

**Andy:** Is there a fixed hand in date yet?

**Dr Simon:** Uh. Right, I can confirm that that's the 21st of May, not the 20th as we first stated.

**Dr Simon:** OK?

**Dr Simon:** Um. Jane?

**Jane:** What about the word limit?

**Dr Simon:** Well we try to be pretty flexible on this, but in broad terms it's 18 to 20,000.

**Jane:** Ah...

**Dr Simon:** And you can choose your topics, anything from years two and three.

**Dr Simon:** Uh. Yes?

**Jane:** Uh. I still haven't got any idea what I want to do it on.

**Jane:** Uh, uh. Who?

**Dr Simon:** Well, you should see your course tutor to agree on your final title, and you should also be aware that there's a special program running on research methods for anyone who wants some extra help on that.

**Jane:** Can I just check on the deadlines for everything?

**Dr Simon:** Yes, sure.

**Dr Simon:** Um. Look, uh, let me write it on the board.

**Dr Simon:** Uh. When the different stages have to be completed.

**Dr Simon:** First of all, you've got to work on your basic bibliography.

**Dr Simon:** And that's due into your course tutor by 31st January, which is just two weeks away, so you'd better get a move on on that.

**Andy:** Do we have to have our own draft plan by then?

**Dr Simon:** No, your draft plan is due on the seventh of February.

**Dr Simon:** Which is a week later, so that should give you plenty of time.

**Jane:** Uh. And when do we have to be doing the research?

**Dr Simon:** That's over a one month period, essentially February to March.

**Andy:** And the write up?

**Dr Simon:** Well, you can't really get going on your writing until you've got quite a bit of the research done, so that's really March to May, with the hand in date on the 21st. Any more questions?

**Announcer:** Now you have some time to look at questions 27 to 30.

**Announcer:** Now listen to the rest of the discussion, and answer questions 27 to 30.

**Andy:** Well well, sir, just some advice really.

**Andy:** It's about computers.

**Andy:** Would you advise us to buy one?

**Dr Simon:** Uh. What can I say?

**Dr Simon:** Um. Andy, I know it's a massive expense, but I really feel it would be of great benefit.

**Dr Simon:** You could always look in the student union adverts for second-hand ones.

**Jane:** Um. Yes, I've been looking at some of last year's dissertations.

**Andy:** Oh, is that a good idea, sir?

**Andy:** I heard.

**Dr Simon:** Well, I don't think you should read them in detail too early.

**Dr Simon:** Or you might end up taking more of their ideas than you realize.

**Dr Simon:** Um. But yes, it really is the best guide you can have to the expectations of the of what's expected when you write a dissertation.

**Andy:** Sorry, Jane.

**Andy:** I interrupted you.

**Jane:** That's OK.

**Jane:** It's just that they did a lot of research using questionnaires.

**Jane:** Is that a good idea?

**Dr Simon:** I think questionnaires are very good at telling you how people who fill out questionnaires feel, uh, but to be frank, they tell you very little else.

**Dr Simon:** Avoid them.

**Dr Simon:** Hmm.

**Andy:** About interviews, is it OK if we interview you?

**Dr Simon:** The tutors?

**Dr Simon:** I don't see why not.

**Dr Simon:** They don't have any special contribution to make, but you can if you want.

**Dr Simon:** There's a whole section on this issue in the research guide.

**Dr Simon:** I'm afraid it's slightly out of date, and you're probably better talking to the tutor on the research methods course, but you might find it useful to start there.

**Andy:** OK, thanks.

**Dr Simon:** OK, well, great.

**Dr Simon:** Uh. I hope that sorted a few things out.

**Dr Simon:** You can always come and see me, or drop me a note if you got any more queries.

**Jane:** Fine.

**Dr Simon:** OK, thanks.

**Announcer:** That is the end of Section 3.

**Announcer:** You will now have half a minute to check your answers.

[Practice Dissertation Q&A Session](https://testmigo.com/ielts/listening/dissertation-q-and-a-session)