Learning – Going to university
The following listening passage is about Kate Stewart’s experiences at university. Read the questions first, listen to the passage and then answer the questions. Key vocabulary from the passage and a full transcript are included on the next page.
Listening skills practice monologue – Going to university.
Question
1. Where does Kate work as an accountant?
A big bank in Edinburgh.
Transcript
'S e cunntasair a th' annam ann am banca mòr ann an Dùn Èideann.
Question
2. Why did she go to the University of Cambridge? Give one reason.
One from:
- she got good marks in fifth year
- she got a lot of encouragement from her maths teacher.
Transcript
Fhuair mi comharran matha air a' chòigeamh bhliadhna san sgoil, agus fhuair mi tòrr brosnachaidh o mo thidsear matamataig a dhol air adhart gu agallamhan airson Cambridge.
Question
3. How did Kate feel when she was successful in getting in?
Really surprised.
Transcript
Chuir e iongnadh mòr orm nuair a bha mi soirbheachail...
Question
4. What was difficult for Kate at first?
She was very homesick.
She missed the Highlands, her parents and her friends.
Transcript
Cha robh e furasta an toiseach a chionn 's gun robh an cianalas orm. Bha mi ag ionndrainn na Gàidhealtachd, mo phàrantan agus mo charaidean...
Question
5. What is said about lectures at the university? State any two things.
Two from:
- very taxing
- the lecturers give lots of information
- you must be good at taking notes
- they are sometimes on Saturday mornings.
Transcript
Tha na clasaichean san oilthigh gu math trom ort. Bidh na h-òraidichean a' toirt seachad mòran fiosrachaidh ann an ùine ghoirid agus feumaidh tu a bhith math air notaichean a ghabhail. Bha òraidean agam air madainn Disathairne cuideachd.
Question
6. What is said about the worksheets with mathematic problems they got? State three things.
Three from:
- they got two a week
- they were incredibly difficult
- they were much harder than the exam
- she would go to the library in the afternoons/evenings and try to answer them.
Transcript
Gach seachdain, bhiodh sinn a' faighinn dà dhuilleag-obrach le ceistean matamataig orra. Bha iad anabarrach doirbh, fada na bu dorra na an deuchainn fhèin. Bhithinn a' dol dhan leabharlann feasgar agus a' feuchainn ri am freagairt.
Question
7. What benefits did Kate get from her time at Cambridge?
A good degree.
Lifelong friends.
Transcript
Ged a bha an obair cruaidh, fhuair mi ceum math agus rinn mi mòran charaidean fad-bheatha ann an Cambridge.
Question
8. What is Kate's final piece advice for people?
Don't be scared to go to university in another country.
Transcript
Na biodh eagal ort a dhol a dhùthaich eile dhan oilthigh.
