# Sociology Students' Research on Loneliness: answers and explanations

Cambridge IELTS 20, Test 1, Listening Part 3

Source: Recording, questions and answer key from Cambridge IELTS 20, Test 1, 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 | C, E | loneliness has a lot to do with the way cities are designed ... I think you're right. |
| 22 | C, E | people are having to move around for work ... That's true. |
| 23 | A, C | there's no doubt that loneliness contributes to a weakened immune system ... Unquestionably, the data on that is sound. |
| 24 | A, C | those findings have been supported by other studies too ... You're right about that one. |
| 25 | A, B | this theory is not really useful when it comes to solving the problem of loneliness today ... True. |
| 26 | A, B | There are a few studies which support the theory, but not conclusively enough. ... More evidence is needed. |
| 27 | A | There's no available diagnosis or effective treatments, and that's not likely to change. ... I don't think so either. |
| 28 | B | Everyone will be able to relate to that |
| 29 | A | it must make people feel more connected with their community |
| 30 | C | some people can't stand being by themselves, while others love it ... being alone isn't something I actually like |

## Why these answers are right

**21. C, E.** Tamara links loneliness to the way cities are designed, with people in high-rise flats rarely talking to neighbors, and Dev replies that she is right. Since both agree, urban design, option C, is one of the two causes.

**22. C, E.** Tamara calls it a more plausible explanation that people have to move around for work and end up far from family and friends, and Dev says that's true. Moving for jobs describes a mobile workforce, option E.

**23. A, C.** Dev says there is no doubt that loneliness contributes to a weakened immune system, and Tamara adds that the data on that is unquestionably sound. Sound data is solid evidence, so option A is one correct risk.

The why and the trap for questions 24 onwards are free with an account on the [answers page](https://testmigo.com/ielts/listening/sociology-students-research-on-loneliness/answers).

## Transcript

**Announcer:** Part 3.

**Announcer:** You will hear two sociology students called Tamara and Dev discussing their research for a presentation on loneliness.

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

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

**Tamara:** Shall we go through the notes we've made from our research into loneliness now, Dev?

**Dev:** Ok, Tamara.

**Dev:** ah It's been a real eye opener.

**Dev:** I had no idea that loneliness has been increasing steadily for the last 20 years.

**Tamara:** ah I know.

**Tamara:** And it's the same all over the world, the downside of a modern lifestyle, I guess.

**Dev:** Did you come to any conclusions about what the reasons for the increase are?

**Tamara:** Well, I assumed it was mainly an issue for the elderly, but in fact it's something which affects young people just as much.

**Dev:** Mmm.

**Dev:** So nothing really to do with longer life spans.

**Dev:** um What about social media?

**Dev:** In my case, far from making me feel isolated, it actually does the opposite.

**Tamara:** It definitely does more good than harm.

**Tamara:** I'd say loneliness has a lot to do with the way cities are designed.

**Tamara:** People living in high rise flats with not much opportunity to speak to their neighbors.

**Dev:** I think you're right.

**Tamara:** Another possible reason is that people are having fewer children, and don't live in large extended family groups.

**Dev:** But in this country anyway, that all changed decades ago, and yet loneliness is a more recent problem.

**Tamara:** I suppose so.

**Tamara:** A more plausible explanation is that people are having to move around for work, and often end up living miles away from their family and friends.

**Dev:** That's true.

**Tamara:** Looking at the studies on health risks and loneliness, there are claims that loneliness has as much impact as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

**Dev:** Or similar to the risks caused by obesity.

**Dev:** But I'm not sure there's enough evidence for some of these claims.

**Tamara:** Well, uh what about that one in Finland, which showed that loneliness increased the risk of cancer?

**Tamara:** By about 10 percent, and those findings have been supported by other studies too.

**Dev:** You're right about that one.

**Dev:** I was actually thinking of the studies on dementia.

**Dev:** Some found no association between loneliness and dementia, and others found the opposite.

**Tamara:** Not exactly reliable then.

**Tamara:** There's been a lot of research on cardiovascular disease, and whether the loneliness contributes to that.

**Dev:** Yes, I read that it was hard to reach a judgment, as the definition of loneliness varied quite a lot.

**Dev:** And the responses from participants were too subjective, but there's no doubt that loneliness contributes to a weakened immune system.

**Tamara:** Unquestionably, the data on that is sound.

**Dev:** What did you think about the evolutionary theory of loneliness?

**Tamara:** Well, I thought the idea that loneliness evolved because it motivated people to be with other people quite convincing.

**Tamara:** Survival often depended on group cooperation.

**Dev:** But I don't think there's enough evidence to claim that there must be a group of neurons in our brains which influence social behavior by making us feel bad when we're alone.

**Tamara:** There are a few studies which support the theory, but not conclusively enough.

**Tamara:** More evidence is needed.

**Dev:** Mmm.

**Dev:** And anyway, this theory is not really useful when it comes to solving the problem of loneliness today.

**Tamara:** True.

**Announcer:** Before you hear the rest of the discussion, you have some time to look at questions 27 to 30.

**Announcer:** Now listen and answer questions 27 to 30.

**Dev:** Should we look at the relationship between loneliness and mental health now?

**Tamara:** Ok, so loneliness and depression are clearly related, and that's been recognized by various governments around the world.

**Tamara:** But unlike depression, loneliness has no recognized clinical form.

**Dev:** There's no available diagnosis or effective treatments, and that's not likely to change.

**Tamara:** I don't think so either.

**Tamara:** I was thinking we should start our presentation with an example from our own experience.

**Tamara:** I'd like to talk about how lonely I was when I started university.

**Tamara:** Being away from home for the first time and all that.

**Dev:** Good idea.

**Dev:** Everyone will be able to relate to that, although a lot of students were probably too embarrassed to admit to it.

**Tamara:** Yeah, uh we could discuss ways of dealing with loneliness as well, like just talking to strangers.

**Dev:** Loads of studies have shown that interactions with shop assistants and bar staff make people feel more optimistic and relaxed.

**Tamara:** I don't know about that, but it must make people feel more connected with their community.

**Dev:** True, although you need to be a certain kind of person to be able to just strike up a conversation.

**Tamara:** Good point.

**Tamara:** We should say something about solitude, and how being alone and being lonely aren't the same thing.

**Tamara:** It's strange the way some people can't stand being by themselves, while others love it.

**Dev:** Yeah, the research shows a certain amount of solitude is beneficial for well-being, which I appreciate.

**Dev:** But being alone isn't something I actually like.

**Dev:** I'd never choose to go on holiday alone for example.

**Tamara:** Me neither.

**Dev:** Well let's not...

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

**Announcer:** You now have 30 seconds to check your answers to part 3.

[Practice Sociology Students' Research on Loneliness](https://testmigo.com/ielts/listening/sociology-students-research-on-loneliness)