Protection Against Local Crime - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS Academic Listening Test 6 · Part 2 · Questions 11–20
Audio
Questions
Questions 11–15 Sentence Completion
Complete the sentences below.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.
- The police officer suggests neighbours give each other their 11.
- Neighbours should discuss what to do if there's any kind of 12.
- It's a good idea to leave on the 13.
- Think carefully about where you put any 14.
- It's a good idea to buy good-quality 15.
Questions 16–20 Matching
Which crime prevention measure is proposed for each area affected by crime?
Choose FIVE answers from the box and write the correct letter, A−G.
A. install more lighting
B. have more police officers on patrol
C. remove surrounding vegetation
D. contact local police
E. fix damage quickly
F. change road design
G. use security cameras
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q11 | contact details | So, I'd suggest that a good way to start is by talking to your neighbours and exchanging contact details with them | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that the officer advises neighbors to talk to each other and trade information like phone numbers so they can stay in communication. Answer Explanation: The answer "contact details" refers to information like phone numbers or email addresses used to reach someone. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "contact details" because the police officer suggests that sharing this information is a good starting point for home safety. By exchanging these details, neighbors can communicate quickly if they notice something suspicious. Keywords to notice here are "exchanging" (giving to each other) and "get in touch" (communicate). |
| Q12 | an emergency / emergency | Then, make sure you have a good discussion about the best course of action to take in case of emergency - make sure everyone is clear about what to do and who to call | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript tells people to have a conversation with their neighbors about the best plan for a sudden or dangerous event so that everyone understands their role and who to contact for help. Answer Explanation: The answer means that neighbors should talk and plan for a sudden, serious, or dangerous situation that needs immediate action. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is '(an) emergency' because the police officer recommends that neighbors have a serious talk about the best 'course of action' or plan to use in a sudden, dangerous situation. By deciding 'what to do and who to call' beforehand, the community can stay calm and act quickly if something bad happens. |
| Q13 | radio | Another thing that I would advise you to do is always leave your radio playing - even when you go out | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the police officer suggesting that people should keep their radio on all the time, even when they leave the house, to protect their home. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'radio', which is the electronic device the officer suggests people should keep playing to make it sound like someone is at home. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'radio' because the police officer explicitly mentions that he advises leaving the radio playing as a safety measure. He says this helps discourage burglars, or thieves, because if they hear sound coming from the house, they will be unsure if it is empty. |
| Q14 | spare keys / extra keys / keys | Now, none of us want to be in the situation where we can't get into our own home, but do take time to think where the best and safest place is to leave your spare keys | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that since no one wants to be locked out of their house, people should think deeply about the safest place to hide their extra keys. Answer Explanation: The answer means people should carefully choose a safe spot to keep the extra set of keys for their house. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'spare keys' because the police officer suggests that people need to plan ahead regarding where they keep their extra keys. He mentions that putting them in obvious places like under a door mat makes it very easy for burglars to enter the home. Therefore, finding a safe location is a key piece of advice. |
| Q15 | window locks / locks | However, if you are going to spend some money, what I'd recommend more than anything else is that you invest in some well-made window locks for your house | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the officer suggesting that people should spend money on strong and secure locks for their windows to keep their homes safe. Answer Explanation: The answer refers to security devices used to keep windows shut and prevent people from getting inside from the outside. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is derived from the constable's advice on home security. He states that if homeowners decide to spend money on safety, his primary recommendation is to buy high-quality window locks. The words 'well-made' in the transcript serve as a synonym for 'good-quality' mentioned in the task, and 'invest' matches the idea of 'buying' something. |
| Q16 | C | One possible solution here is to get rid of some of the trees and bushes around the park - making it more visible to passersby and vehicles | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that by removing the plants around the park, it becomes easier for people nearby to see what is happening inside, which helps prevent crime. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the police suggest taking away the trees and plants around the skate park to keep it safe. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the police officer suggests that the best way to stop bad behavior at the skate park is to 'get rid of some of the trees and bushes.' This makes the area easier to see for people walking or driving by. In English, 'vegetation' is a general word for plants like trees and bushes, and 'remove' means to take something away or 'get rid of' it. |
| Q17 | D | The schools don't have the funds for video surveillance so we need people in the neighbourhood to call their nearest police station and report any suspicious activity immediately | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the schools do not have enough money for security cameras, so the police want the public to call them immediately if they see something strange. Answer Explanation: The answer means that people who live nearby should call the police if they see anything unusual occurring at the primary schools. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is D because the speaker explains that since the schools cannot afford video cameras, the community must help. He asks the neighbors to call their nearest police station and report any suspicious behavior right away. The phrase "contact local police" is a synonym for calling the police station. |
| Q18 | F | I expect most of you are familiar with the problems facing Abbotsford Street. It seems that no amount of warning signs or speed cameras will slow speeding drivers down. I'm happy to say, however, that the council have agreed to begin work over the next few months to put in a new roundabout | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that drivers on Abbotsford Street travel too fast. Because other tools did not work, the city council will build a new roundabout to solve the problem. Answer Explanation: The answer means changing how a road is shaped or built to fix problems like speeding. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is F because the speaker mentions that cars go too fast on Abbotsford Street. Since regular signs and cameras have not worked to slow them down, the council has decided to build a 'roundabout.' A roundabout is a circular part of a road where cars must slow down to turn, which represents a change in the road's design. |
| Q19 | G | The newsagent and the gift shop on Victoria Street were both broken into last week, and although no money was taken, the properties have suffered some serious damage. Access was gained to these shops through the small alleyway at the back of the properties - it's dark and as you can imagine, no one saw the thief or thieves in action. So, we've been advising shop owners along there about what kind of video recording equipment they can have put in - we'll then be able to get evidence of any criminal activity on film | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that two shops on Victoria Street were broken into. Because no one saw the thieves, the police are telling the owners to use video recording equipment (cameras) to film any future crimes. Answer Explanation: The answer is to use security cameras to protect the shops on Victoria Street. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is G because the police officer suggests that shop owners on Victoria Street should put in 'video recording equipment.' This equipment allows them to record 'criminal activity on film,' which is exactly what a security camera does. |
| Q20 | E | The supermarket car park is also on our list of problem areas. We've talked to the supermarket managers and council authorities and we've advised them to get graffiti cleaned off immediately and get the smashed lights replaced | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that since the car park has problems, the police told the store managers and the city leaders to clean up spray paint and fix broken lamps as soon as possible. Answer Explanation: The answer E means that if something is broken or messy, it should be repaired or cleaned right away. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is E because the police officer suggests that the supermarket managers and the council should clean up graffiti and fix broken lights right away ('immediately'). This matches the phrase 'fix damage quickly.' If they wait too long to fix these things, the officer explains that more bad behavior might happen. Pay attention to the phrase 'get graffiti cleaned off immediately' which is a type of damage repair. |
Transcript
Well, good afternoon. I'm Constable James McDonald, and as you may know, I'm the community police officer for the local area. That means that as part of my job - I try to get out in the community as much as possible - talk to the people that live in this neighbourhood - people like yourselves - and make sure there's an effective level of communication between the public and the police - hence the reason for this meeting. There have been several burglaries in the area in the last few weeks and I'd like to talk about ways you can keep your home and property safe.
So, I'd suggest that a good way to start is by talking to your neighbours and exchanging contact details with them. This'll allow you to get in touch immediately if there's anything suspicious happening next door. Then, make sure you have a good discussion about the best course of action to take in case of emergency - make sure everyone is clear about what to do and who to call. If you plan ahead, this'll prevent uncertainty and even panic should anything happen later. Another thing that I would advise you to do is always leave your radio playing - even when you go out. And if you keep your curtains closed, burglars are less likely to try and break in because they can't be sure whether someone's home or not. Now, none of us want to be in the situation where we can't get into our own home, but do take time to think where the best and safest place is to leave your spare keys. Putting them under the door mat or anywhere near the front door is just asking for trouble. You'd be surprised how many people actually do this - and it makes life really easy for burglars. All these things will help keep your community safe and will cost you nothing. However, if you are going to spend some money, what I'd recommend more than anything else is that you invest in some well-made window locks for your house. This will give you peace of mind.
[pause]
OK, moving on. Unfortunately, there's been an increase in the number of minor crimes and anti-social behaviour in the general area and I want to talk about some specific prevention measures that are being proposed. First of all, the skate park. As you probably know, it's well used by younger people in our community but unfortunately we're getting more and more reports of broken glass - making it especially dangerous for younger children. One possible solution here is to get rid of some of the trees and bushes around the park - making it more visible to passersby and vehicles. If the vandals know they're being watched, this might act as a deterrent. As you will have heard, a couple of local primary schools have also been vandalised recently - despite the presence of security guards. The schools don't have the funds for video surveillance so we need people in the neighbourhood to call their nearest police station and report any suspicious activity immediately. Please don't hesitate to do this. I expect most of you are familiar with the problems facing Abbotsford Street. It seems that no amount of warning signs or speed cameras will slow speeding drivers down. I'm happy to say, however, that the council have agreed to begin work over the next few months to put in a new roundabout. What else? Oh, yes. The newsagent and the gift shop on Victoria Street were both broken into last week, and although no money was taken, the properties have suffered some serious damage. Access was gained to these shops through the small alleyway at the back of the properties - it's dark and as you can imagine, no one saw the thief or thieves in action. So, we've been advising shop owners along there about what kind of video recording equipment they can have put in - we'll then be able to get evidence of any criminal activity on film. The supermarket car park is also on our list of problem areas. We've talked to the supermarket managers and council authorities and we've advised them to get graffiti cleaned off immediately and get the smashed lights replaced. If you don't deal with this sort of thing at once, there's a strong possibility that the activity will increase and spread, and then it becomes ...