English for

Speaking and Listening
12 
Learners’ own answers.
13 
Sample answer
The discussion focused on the topic of interdisciplinary 
education and studies. Firstly, the problems of interdisciplinary 
education were described. The first speaker stated that 
interdisciplinary education has no clear aims and objectives. 
He added that what is meant by integration is still unclear. The 
second speaker agreed saying that in interdisciplinary education 
and studies disciplinary skills are considered unimportant and 
irrelevant. Also, he mentions that it is rather difficult to evaluate 
the results. Other speakers added that such programmes are 
expensive and there are not enough specialists. To summarise, 
interdisciplinary education is not an established area and it has 
some problems that need to be solved.
14 
Answers
1 b the use of X-rays in astronomy
2 discipline boundaries.
3 a to notice connections
b to use knowledge from one area in another
4 a real and fruitful
b serious concerns
Audioscript 
21
Moderator: Now I have a feeling that interdisciplinary 
education is not worth the money spent on it. Could I be 
wrong? 
Mike: Think of, for example, the growth of radiation genetics at 
the turn of the last century. We can see that the interaction 

---

English for Academics Book 2 Teacher’s Guide
© Cambridge University Press and British Council Russia 2015
www.cambridge.org/elt/english-for-academics
PHOTOCOPIABLE 
21
Lesson 3
Module 1
Audioscript 
22
Moderator: Unfortunately, we have to bring things to a close 
here. We have heard three brilliant experts sharing their 
vision of the issues connected to interdisciplinary studies. 
The discussion was open and straightforward, and I hope 
will be useful. We have identified the main criticisms of 
interdisciplinary studies and thus the challenges we will have 
to meet. I’d like to thank everybody, the panellists for the 
expertise they have offered and the attendees for their active