Listening audioscript

1. LISTEN AGAIN TO PART OF THE LECTURE. THEN ANSWER THE QUESTION. 
(Professor) 
Ok, so bit by bit evidence began to mount in favor of Muir’s theory that 
glacial action was responsible for the canyon’s distinctive shape. But it 
wasn’t until the twentieth century that all of the missing pieces of the 
puzzle were in place and Whitney should have conceded at that point.  
WHAT IS THE PROFESSOR’S ATTITUDE TOWARD MUIR’S THEORY OF HOW 
YOSEMITE CANYON GOT ITS SHAPE? 
2. WHAT DOES THE PROFESSOR SEEM TO BELIEVE ABOUT JOHN MUIR? 
 
LISTENING EXERCISE 4 
 
PASSAGE ONE 
Page 181
[ mp3 047-048]
 
Questions 1 and 2. 
Listen to a conversation between an advisor and a student. 

---

LPREP IBT 3 E AudioScript 
33
(Advisor) 
I’d like to talk with you about the number of courses you’ll be taking next 
semester. 
(Student) 
I was planning on taking five courses again next semester. 
(Advisor)
Hmm … so, would you mind telling me why you’ve been taking five 
courses every semester? 
(Student) 
Well, since I’m planning on going to graduate school, I’d like to finish my 
undergraduate degree as soon as possible. And I was hoping to save 
money too. 
(Advisor) 
I understand that every semester is expensive, and I sympathize … I 
honestly do. But here’s the thing, Alyssa … the problem is that your 
grades are passable but not very high, and you’ll need higher grades to 
get into a good graduate school. 
(Student) 
OK. So, what you mean is that it’s better to do well in four classes than 
only average in five? 
(Advisor) 
Absolutely. 
(Student) 
But there’s still the problem of the cost of the last semester. I know it 
probably doesn’t seem like much money compared to the cost of four 
years, but it’s really tough for me to get that money together every 
semester, and one less… 
(Advisor) 
No, Alyssa. I really mean it when I say I sympathize. Even one 
semester’s a lot of money; there’s no question about it. But listen. I think 
that spreading your studies out through that final semester will actually 
end up saving you money and help you get into grad school. 
(Student) 
Taking the last semester will save me money? How would that work? 
(Advisor) 
OK, so if you have more time…I mean, if you take fewer credit-hours, 
you’ll have more time for each class. You’re obviously a hard worker and 
ambitious, so you’ll probably get better grades, right? 
(Student) 
I would hope so. Well, no. I know I would. 
(Advisor) 
If you have better grades and more time, you’ll be able to apply for 
fellowships, which can pay for more of your grad school. You’ll also be 
able to do a better job of finding the perfect school and lining up 
internships, which could also earn you money. 
(Student) 
OK, I’m beginning to understand what you mean. But there isn’t any 
guarantee that I’ll get one of the fellowships. 
(Advisor) 
OK, that’s true. But even if you don’t …and I don’t see any reason why 
you can’t, if you feel passionate about what you want to study and do 
well… but even if you don’t get more financial aid, you’re still probably 
going to save money by being able to choose your school more carefully. 
With better grades, you will have more choices, and can look at the 
different tuition requirements. 
(Student) 
Alright. I see your point. 
(Advisor) 
But there’s something else…frankly more important than the money or 
even the grades. 
(Student) 
What do you mean? 
(Advisor) 
Well, I don’t know exactly how hard it is for you to get together the money 
for a semester of college, so in the end the final decision is yours to 
make. The biggest reason, though, for not piling on classes is the 
possibility of getting to know the professors and their research. If you 
spend all of your time rushing through your studies here, it’s going to be 
hard to really get to know your professors very well. Part of the key to 

---

LPREP IBT 3 E AudioScript 
34
getting into graduate school at all is having demonstrated a serious 
interest in research, and the best way to do that is to get to know some of 
your professors and what they’re doing.
(Student) 
I assume you mean in the smaller classes, because right now… 
(Advisor) 
It doesn’t matter. Yes, it will be easier to develop a relationship with a 
professor in your smaller upper-division classes, but you can go to office 
hours…um, you can start to check out the research that the professors in 
your field are doing and maybe arrange an appointment to learn more. 
Ask about summer internships. 
(Student)
OK, so you’re telling me that I’ve been doing all the wrong things to get 
into grad school? 
(Advisor) 
Actually, if you decide to do as I’ve suggested, this is going to work to 
your advantage. Right now, the grades in your basic courses are not that 
great, and you do have some flexibility as far as credit-hours. But your 
grades are suddenly going to get better, and you’re going to start to 
discover the direction you want your research to take. Whether you end 
up with a fellowship or not, graduate schools will love that you know 
where you are going. 
(Student)
Well, when you put it that way, I feel better about it.