Tapescript for IELTS Listening
Sample Listening Sentence Completion
Paul: The other thing I wanted to ask you was, did you find it hard, studying with
the Open University?
Rachel: You mean, because you’re studying on your own, most of the time?
Paul: Mm.
Rachel: Well, it took me a while to get used to it. I found I needed to maintain a
high level of motivation because it’s so different from school. There’s no-
one saying, ‘Why haven’t you written your assignment yet?’ and that sort
of thing.
Paul: Oh dear.
Rachel: You’ll learn it, Paul. Another thing was that I got very good at time-
management because I had to fit time for studying round a full-time job.
Paul: Well, I’m hoping to change to working part-time, so that’ll help.
Rachel: What makes it easier is that the degree is made up of modules, so you
can take time off between them if you need to. It isn’t like a traditional
three- or four-year course, where you’ve got to do the whole thing of it in
one go.
Paul: That’s good, because I’d like to spend six months travelling next year.
Rachel: Huh, it’s all right for some. Then even though you’re mostly studying at
home, remember you’ve got tutors to help you, and from time to time
there are summer schools. They usually last a week. They’re great
because you meet all the other people struggling with the same things as
you. I’ve made some really good friends that way.
Paul: Sounds good. So how do I apply?
Sample Listening Sentence Completion
Paul: The other thing I wanted to ask you was, did you find it hard, studying with
the Open University?
Rachel: You mean, because you’re studying on your own, most of the time?
Paul: Mm.
Rachel: Well, it took me a while to get used to it. I found I needed to maintain a
high level of motivation because it’s so different from school. There’s no-
one saying, ‘Why haven’t you written your assignment yet?’ and that sort
of thing.
Paul: Oh dear.
Rachel: You’ll learn it, Paul. Another thing was that I got very good at time-
management because I had to fit time for studying round a full-time job.
Paul: Well, I’m hoping to change to working part-time, so that’ll help.
Rachel: What makes it easier is that the degree is made up of modules, so you
can take time off between them if you need to. It isn’t like a traditional
three- or four-year course, where you’ve got to do the whole thing of it in
one go.
Paul: That’s good, because I’d like to spend six months travelling next year.
Rachel: Huh, it’s all right for some. Then even though you’re mostly studying at
home, remember you’ve got tutors to help you, and from time to time
there are summer schools. They usually last a week. They’re great
because you meet all the other people struggling with the same things as
you. I’ve made some really good friends that way.
Paul: Sounds good. So how do I apply?
