IELTS_Cam 9_Test 3_Section 3

1 / 67
Hint:Caroline Schulmann
Complete the challenge or click here to show.

AUDIO SCRIPT:

  • TUTOR: Ah Caroline… come on in. Sit down.
  • CAROLINE:Thanks.
  • TUTOR: So how’s the dissertation planning going?
  • CAROLINE: Well Dr Schulmann, I’m still having a lot of trouble deciding on a title.
  • TUTOR: Well, that’s perfectly normal at this stage. And this is what your tutorials will help you to do.
  • CAROLINE: Right
  • TUTOR: What we’ll do is jot down some points that might help you in your decision. First of all, you have chosen your general topic area, haven’t you?
  • CAROLINE: Yes, it’s the fishing industry.
  • TUTOR: Oh yes, that was one of the areas you mentioned. Now, what aspects of the course are you good at?
  • CAROLINE: Well, I think I’m coping well with statistics, and I’m never bored by it.
  • TUTOR: Anything else?
  • CAROLINE: Well, I found computer modelling fascinating – I have no problem following what’s being taught, whereas quite a few of my classmates find it difficult.
  • TUTOR: Well, that’s very good. Do you think these might be areas you could bring into your dissertation?
  • CAROLINE: Oh yes, if possible. It’s just that I’m having difficulty thinking how I can do that. You see I feel I don’t have sufficient background information.
  • TUTOR: I see. Well, do you take notes?
  • CAROLINE: I’m very weak at note-taking. My teachers always used to say that.
  • TUTOR: Well, I think you really need to work on these weaknesses before you go any further.
  • CAROLINE: What do you suggest?
  • TUTOR: Well, I can go through the possible strategies with you and let you decide where to go from there.
  • CAROLINE: Okay, thanks.
  • TUTOR: Well, some people find it helpful to organise peer-group discussions – you know, each week a different person studies a different topic and shares it with the group.
  • CAROLINE: Oh right.
  • TUTOR: It really helps build confidence, you know, having to present something to others.
  • CAROLINE: I can see that.
  • TUTOR: The drawback is that everyone in the group seems to share the same ideas… they keep being repeated in all the dissertations.
  • CAROLINE: Okay.
  • TUTOR: You could also try a service called ‘Student Support’. It’s designed to give you a structured programme over a number of weeks to develop your skills.
  • CAROLINE: Sounds good.
  • TUTOR: Yes, unfortunately there are only a few places. But it’s worth looking into.
  • CAROLINE: Yes, of course. I know I’ve got to work on my study skills.
  • TUTOR: And then there are several study skills books you can consult.
  • CAROLINE: Right.
  • TUTOR: They’ll be a good source of reference but the problem is they are sometimes too general.
  • CAROLINE: Yes, that’s what I’ve found.
  • TUTOR: Other than that I would strongly advise quite simple ideas like using a card index.
  • CAROLINE: Well, yes, I’ve never done that before.
  • TUTOR: It’s simple, but it really works because you have to get points down in a small space. Another thing I always advise is don’t just take your notes and forget about them. Read everything three times – that’ll really fix them in your mind.
  • CAROLINE: Yes, I can see it’d take discipline but…
  • TUTOR: Well, if you establish good study skills at this stage they’ll be with you all your life.
  • CAROLINE: Oh yes, I completely agree. It’s just that I don’t seem to be able to discipline myself. I need to talk things over.
  • TUTOR: Well, we’ll be continuing these tutorials of course. Let’s arrange next month’s now. Let’s see, I can see you virtually any time during the week starting 22nd January.
  • CAROLINE: What about the 24th? I’m free in the afternoon.
  • TUTOR: Sorry, I’m booked then. What about the following day?
  • CAROLINE: Thursday? I can make the morning.
  • TUTOR: Fine, we’ll go for the 25th then.
  • CAROLINE: That’s great, thanks.

Related links:

Leave a Reply