Solar heating system - Marvel Education

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IELTS Practice Listening: Note/Summary Completion Diagram ID: #57393 Medium Solar heating system

Instructions ›

Look at the diagram representing a solar heating system and work out what parts you will need to label. Then listen to the beginning of a talk about solar energy.

Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.

Transcript:

You will hear a lecture explaining how a solar heating system works to provide hot water for homes. Now listen carefully and answer the questions. Harnessing the sun's energy, that is, using the sun to generate power, can be difficult, but these days, increasing use is being made of the energy from the sun, particularly to heat homes and provide hot water. In particular, We see an increase in the use of individualised heating units to serve the needs of individual households. Have a look at this diagram. It represents solar panels which are fixed to the roof of a house to capture, if you like, the sun's energy. It is typical of any system which uses a solar panel to provide hot water. So how does it work? Well, energy from the sun travels to the earth in the form of radiation. This can be visible radiation, which is another word saying light. We also receive invisible radiation, which is known as infrared. A lot of this radiation passes through the glass at the front of the solar panel, here on the roof, and hits the surface at the back. This surface is black because black is good at absorbing radiation, and so the black surface becomes hot. Energy in the form of heat is conducted along the back of the solar panel to view copper pipes. Now, these pipes are filled with a liquid which in turn becomes hot. This can be either oil or water, though oil is usually used. The oil expands and rises up the pipe into the energy exchanger which is located up here in the water tank. Sometimes we have to use a pump as well to help the liquid along. It's a remarkably efficient system when you think about it.

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A.I. Explanation:

Question Focus: Identifying the part that carries heat away from the panel
Correct Answer: copper pipe
Passage Reference: Energy in the form of heat is conducted along the back of the solar panel to view copper pipes. Now, these pipes are filled with a liquid which in turn becomes hot.
Why this is correct: On the diagram, this label points to the thin tubes running along the back of the solar panel. You hear the speaker say that heat is conducted along the back of the panel to the copper pipes, which matches this part exactly.
Common Mistake: Students sometimes write pipes only. This loses the key detail and is a partial truth trap because many pipes exist, but the speaker clearly specifies copper pipes.
Paraphrasing: Transcript: 'conducted along the back of the solar panel to the copper pipes' = Diagram: 'label the pipes behind the panel'
Tips: When labelling diagrams, listen carefully for material words like metal types.
Key Vocabulary:
conducted = carried
pipes = tubes
Question Focus: Identifying what fills the pipes
Correct Answer: oil or water
Passage Reference: Now, these pipes are filled with a liquid which in turn becomes hot. This can be either oil or water, though oil is usually used.
Why this is correct: The diagram arrow points to the liquid inside the pipes. The speaker explains that the pipes are filled with a liquid which can be oil or water, so this exact phrase matches the label.
Common Mistake: Many students write only oil because the speaker says it is usually used. This is a partial truth trap because oil is common, but the question asks what the pipes can contain.
Paraphrasing: Transcript: 'This can be either oil or water' = Diagram: 'what liquid is inside the pipes'
Tips: Do not stop listening too early. Sometimes the full answer includes two options.
Key Vocabulary:
liquid = fluid
either = one of two
Question Focus: Identifying where the heated liquid transfers energy
Correct Answer: water tank
Passage Reference: into the energy exchanger which is located up here in the water tank.
Why this is correct: This label points to the large container at the top of the system. You hear that the energy exchanger is located in the water tank, so this is the correct diagram label.
Common Mistake: Some students write energy exchanger. This is a context shift trap because the exchanger is inside the tank, but the diagram arrow points to the tank itself.
Paraphrasing: Transcript: 'located up here in the water tank' = Diagram: 'large container at the top'
Tips: Match the arrow position carefully. Do not label a smaller part when the arrow shows a larger object.
Key Vocabulary:
located = placed
tank = container
Question Focus: Identifying an optional supporting device
Correct Answer: pump
Passage Reference: Sometimes we have to use a pump as well to help the liquid along.
Why this is correct: At the bottom of the diagram, you see a small device connected to the pipes. The speaker says that sometimes a pump is used to help the liquid move, which matches this part.
Common Mistake: Students may miss this because it is said quickly at the end. This is a distractor trap where earlier main parts feel more important.
Paraphrasing: Transcript: 'use a pump to help the liquid along' = Diagram: 'device pushing liquid'
Tips: Pay attention to phrases like 'sometimes' or 'as well'. They often introduce final answers.
Key Vocabulary:
help along = move forward
pump = machine that pushes liquid
Question Focus: Identifying the main energy-collecting component
Correct Answer: solar panel
Passage Reference: It represents solar panels which are fixed to the roof of a house to capture, if you like, the sun's energy. It is typical of any system which uses a solar panel to provide hot water.
Why this is correct: This label points to the large flat surface on the roof in the diagram. The speaker clearly introduces the system by saying it represents solar panels fixed to the roof.
Common Mistake: Some students write roof because that is what they see visually. This is a visual trap where the picture distracts from the spoken label.
Paraphrasing: Transcript: 'solar panels which are fixed to the roof' = Diagram: 'flat unit on roof'
Tips: Always listen first before trusting what you think the picture shows.
Key Vocabulary:
capture = collect
panel = flat surface
General Tips:
Diagram questions follow the recording order. Once you find one answer, the next one comes soon after.
Look at the diagram before listening and predict what type of word is missing.
Write only what you hear. Do not change the word or use your own synonym.
Watch the word limit carefully. Extra words make the answer wrong.
Listen for signpost phrases like 'this can be', 'which is', or 'sometimes we use'. They often introduce labels.

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