Audio | Answers with Explanations

Choose the correct letter, A, B, or C.
(1) Why was Alice initially hesitant to join the volunteering program?
(2) What did James say surprised him about volunteering?
(3) What does Professor Smith say about balancing studies and volunteering?
(4) Why did Alice find working with children challenging?
(5) What do Alice and James agree is the biggest benefit of volunteering?
(6) How does James feel about his next volunteering opportunity?
Choose TWO letters, A–E.
(7)-(8) Which TWO skills did Alice say she improved the most during volunteering?
(9)-(10) Which TWO suggestions does Professor Smith give for choosing a volunteering program?

Tapescript

Professor Smith:
So, Alice, you recently completed a volunteering program. How did you find the experience?
Alice:
Honestly, I was really hesitant at first. I thought it would interfere with my studies, and I wasn't sure it would actually help my career. But in the end, I'm so glad I gave it a chance!
Professor Smith:
That's great to hear! And what about you, James? What was your initial impression?
James:
I had no idea volunteering would come with so much responsibility! I was surprised by the variety of tasks I could choose from-I thought it would be all routine stuff, but I ended up managing events and even training new volunteers.
Professor Smith:
Interesting! That kind of responsibility is great for building skills. But how did you balance your studies with volunteering?
Alice:
It was tough at first, but I learned that time management is everything. Once I started organizing my week better, I actually became more productive overall.
Professor Smith:
Exactly. Balancing studies and volunteering is all about managing your time efficiently. Now, Alice, you mentioned you worked with children. How was that?
Alice:
It was challenging! Keeping their attention was harder than I expected. I didn't have any teaching experience, so I had to think on my feet and come up with creative activities to keep them engaged.
James:
I can imagine! But working with kids must have taught you a lot about communication and problem-solving.
Alice:
Absolutely. I think my communication skills improved the most, along with my creativity. I had to adapt constantly, which was a good challenge.
Professor Smith:
James, what about you? What did you take away from your volunteering experience?
James:
For me, the biggest benefit was building confidence. I learned how to work independently and take initiative, which I hadn't really done before.
Alice:
Yes, confidence is key. Volunteering pushed me out of my comfort zone and gave me a sense of independence, too.
Professor Smith:
That's excellent. If you're thinking about another program, James, do you have anything lined up?
James:
Well, there's an opportunity to lead a new project, but I'm not sure I'm ready for such a big role. I might stick to smaller tasks for now.
Professor Smith:
Fair enough. My advice is to choose programs that match your interests and consider the time commitment carefully. If you're able to find a program with strong mentors, that can make a huge difference in your experience.
Alice:
That's true. Having guidance from experienced people really helped me grow.
Professor Smith:
Exactly. Volunteering is a fantastic way to build skills, but it's important to pick opportunities that align with your goals.