Pass 1
Blind listen
Listen without subtitles and only catch the big idea, topic, and main information.
🎧 IELTS Listening & Speaking Practice
0:00 / 0:00
Five-Pass Listening Method
Turn one listening piece into reusable English input
Do not stop at one play. Split the same episode into five passes: gist first, then language support, shadowing, dictation, and a final replay without subtitles.
Pass 2
English subtitles
Clear up unknown words and hard sentences. Use a dictionary and short notes if needed.
Pass 3
Shadowing
Repeat line by line and imitate pronunciation, rhythm, stress, and intonation.
Pass 4
Dictation
Pick a few key sentences and write what you hear to train form and structure.
Pass 5
Replay without subtitles
Listen again with no text support and notice what is now easier and clearer.
After Training
Share and retell
Share notes, new words, or one useful concept, then retell the episode in your own words.
Next Step
From intensive to extensive
Recycle intensively studied episodes as background listening and scale volume with familiar material.
Pass 1Pass 2Pass 3Pass 4Pass 5
📝 IELTS Speaking Dialogue Transcript
I want to talk about whether universities should rescind honorary degrees and awards. Recently, students and alumni have called for institutions to rescind honours awarded to controversial figures. Some commentators argue that revoking an honour repairs a university's reputation. I am more cautious. I will give three reasons why institutions should think twice before they take back an award. First, fairness. People change over time and judging past behaviour is complicated. Second, precedent. Rescinding one award can set a precedent that invites constant review. Third, practical difficulty. Records are messy and legal fights can follow. I mention a couple of high-profile cases from around 2015 that grabbed headlines and prompted demands. That detail is interesting but not decisive. We should be wary of a chilling effect, where future decisions are made to avoid criticism rather than for academic merit. In short, I favour careful, case-by-case consideration. I do not suggest never rescinding. Nor do I suggest a rush to revoke honours to satisfy immediate public pressure. Institutions should weigh fairness, precedent, and practical consequences before they rescind an award.
📝 📚 IELTS Practice Questions
1
What is the main topic of the passage?
Wrong Answer
Correct Answer:
A
Explanation:
Correct: The speaker explicitly discusses whether universities should rescind honorary degrees. B is related but too general—the passage focuses on rescinding, not improving reputation generally. C is incorrect because the passage addresses taking awards back, not how they are granted. D is wrong; student protests are mentioned but legal procedures for protests are not discussed.
2
How many reasons does the speaker give for being cautious about rescinding awards?
Wrong Answer
Correct Answer:
C
Explanation:
Correct: The speaker lists three reasons: fairness, precedent, and practical difficulty. A and B are wrong because more than one reason is given. D is incorrect because the speaker does not list four reasons.
3
Who does the speaker say often calls for institutions to rescind honours?
Wrong Answer
Correct Answer:
A
Explanation:
Correct: The passage states that 'students and alumni have called' for rescinding honours. B, C, and D are plausible groups but are not mentioned as the ones calling for rescinding in the passage.
4
Which negative outcome does the speaker warn about if institutions rush to rescind awards?
Wrong Answer
Correct Answer:
A
Explanation:
Correct: The speaker warns of a 'chilling effect' where future decisions avoid criticism rather than focus on merit. B is incorrect and not mentioned; financial gain is not discussed. C is wrong; the speaker does not claim rescinding improves standards. D is incorrect because the speaker actually mentions legal fights as a potential problem, not legal immunity.
5
What can be inferred about the speaker's overall position?
Wrong Answer
Correct Answer:
C
Explanation:
Correct: The speaker explicitly favours careful, case-by-case consideration and rejects both a rush to revoke and an absolute ban. A is wrong because the speaker is cautious, not absolutist. B is incorrect because the speaker says 'I do not suggest never rescinding.' D is wrong; the speaker criticizes decisions made to satisfy public pressure, not to gain publicity.
6
Why does the speaker mention the idea of 'precedent'?
Wrong Answer
Correct Answer:
A
Explanation:
Correct: The passage explains that rescinding one award can set a precedent that invites constant review. B is incorrect because the speaker treats precedent as a reason for caution, not an automatic improvement. C is wrong; the speaker does not claim legal binding. D is incorrect and contradicts the speaker's call for case-by-case consideration.
7
In this passage, what is the closest meaning of the word 'rescind'?
Wrong Answer
Correct Answer:
A
Explanation:
Correct: 'Rescind' is used to mean taking back or revoking an honorary degree. B is the opposite of rescind. C (postpone) is incorrect because rescind implies cancellation, not delay. D (strengthen) is unrelated to the meaning in context.
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