Advice On Surfing Holidays - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 17 Academic Listening Test 3 · Part 1 · Questions 1–10
Audio
Questions
Questions 1–10 Note Completion
Complete the notes below.
Write ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Advice on surfing holidays
Jack’s advice
- Recommends surfing for 1 holidays in the summer
- Need to be quite 2
Irish surfing locations
- County Clare
– Lahinch has some good quality 3 and surf schools
– There are famous cliffs nearby
- County Mayo
– Good surf school at 4 beach
– Surf camp lasts for one 5
– Can also explore the local 6 by kayak
Weather
- Best month to go: 7
- Average temperature in summer: approx. 8 degrees
Costs
- Equipment
– Wetsuit and surfboard: 9 euros per day
– Also advisable to hire 10 for warmth
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | family | I think it’s the kind of holiday all the family can enjoy together. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript suggests that surfing holidays are suitable for the entire family to enjoy together. Answer Explanation: The answer 'family' refers to parents and children spending time together on a holiday. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer aligns with the idea that surfing holidays can be a good choice for families to have fun and bond together, as mentioned in the excerpt. |
| Q2 | fit | I’ve heard you need to be pretty fit. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript suggests that being quite fit is necessary for surfing. Answer Explanation: The answer 'fit' means in good physical condition or having the right level of fitness. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer matches the context of the transcript where being fit is mentioned as important for surfing, indicating the need for physical fitness to engage in this activity. |
| Q3 | hotels | Are there good hotels there? | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript is asking about the availability and quality of hotels at the mentioned surfing locations. Answer Explanation: The answer 'hotels' refers to accommodations where people can stay during their surfing holiday. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'hotels' because the question specifically asks about the presence of good hotels, which is related to accommodation options for surfers visiting the locations mentioned in the notes. |
| Q4 | Carrowniskey | There’s a good surf school at Carrowniskey beach. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript mentions that there is a good surf school located at Carrowniskey beach. Answer Explanation: The answer 'Carrowniskey' refers to the name of the beach where there is a good surf school. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'Carrowniskey' because it directly matches the location mentioned in the excerpt, confirming that the surf school is indeed situated at Carrowniskey beach as stated. |
| Q5 | week | Three hours every day for a week. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript suggests that the surf camp lasts for a specific duration, which is three hours every day for a week. Answer Explanation: The answer indicates that the surf camp lasts for a week, which means that it lasts for seven consecutive days. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'week' because it matches the timeframe mentioned in the excerpt, which states that the surf camp lasts three hours every day for a total of one week. |
| Q6 | bay | One thing we did while the kids were surfing was to rent some kayaks to have a look around the bay which is nearby. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript talks about a situation where people rented kayaks to explore a nearby area called the bay. Answer Explanation: The answer 'bay' refers to a body of water surrounded by land. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'bay' because the excerpt mentions that the kayaks were used to explore the bay, indicating a water body enclosed by land. This matches the definition of a bay. |
| Q7 | September | September’s my favourite month because the water is warmer then. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript talks about how September is the speaker's favorite month because the water is warmer at that time. Answer Explanation: The answer 'September' is the best month to go surfing according to the transcript. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'September' because the excerpt mentions that it is the favorite month for surfing due to warmer water, indicating it is an ideal time to go surfing. |
| Q8 | 19 / nineteen | The average temperature is about 19 degrees and it usually doesn’t go above 25 degrees. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript tells us that during the summer months, the average temperature for a surfing holiday is around 19 degrees. It is unlikely to be hotter than 25 degrees. Answer Explanation: The answer '19' or 'nineteen' refers to the approximate temperature in degrees Celsius during a summer surfing holiday. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer matches the information provided in the transcript, confirming that the average temperature during a surfing holiday is around 19 degrees. |
| Q9 | 30 / thirty | You can expect to pay a daily rate of about 30 euros for the hire of a wetsuit and board | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript said that if you want to use a wetsuit and a surfboard, you will need to pay 30 euros each day to rent them. Answer Explanation: The answer '30' means that the cost of renting a wetsuit and a surfboard for one day is 30 euros. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer matches the information provided in the excerpt, stating the exact cost of 30 euros for hiring equipment, which includes a wetsuit and a surfboard for a day. |
| Q10 | boots | And make sure you also get boots. They keep your feet warm and it’s easier to surf with them on too. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript is saying that boots are important for surfing because they keep your feet warm and help make surfing easier. Answer Explanation: The answer 'boots' refers to a type of footwear that should be worn while surfing to keep your feet warm. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'boots' because the excerpt specifically mentions the importance of boots for keeping feet warm while surfing and their role in making surfing easier, which aligns with the advice provided in the notes about surfing holidays. |
Transcript
WOMAN: Jack, I’m thinking of taking the kids to the seaside on a surfing holiday this summer and I wanted to ask your advice – as I know you’re such an expert.
JACK: Well, I don’t know about that, but yes, I’ve done a bit of surfing over the years. I’d thoroughly recommend it. I think it’s the kind of holiday all the family can enjoy together. The thing about surfing is that it’s great for all ages and all abilities. My youngest started when he was only three!
WOMAN: Wow! But it’s quite physically demanding, isn’t it? I’ve heard you need to be pretty fit.
JACK: Yes. You’ll certainly learn more quickly and won’t tire as easily.
WOMAN: Well – that should be OK for us. You’ve been surfing a few times in Ireland, haven’t you?
JACK: Yes. There’s some great surfing there, which people don’t always realise.
WOMAN: And which locations would you recommend? – there seem to be quite a few.
JACK: Yes, there are loads. Last year we went to County Donegal. There are several great places to surf there.
WOMAN: What about in County Clare? I read that’s also really good for surfing.
JACK: Yes, it is. I’ve been there a few times. Most people go to Lahinch. My kids love it there. The waves aren’t too challenging and the town is very lively.
WOMAN: Are there good hotels there?
JACK: Yes – some very nice ones and there are also a few basic hostels and campsites. It’s great if you need lessons as the surf schools are excellent.
WOMAN: Sounds good.
JACK: Yes and there’s lots to see in the area – like those well-known cliffs – … I’ve forgotten the name of them …
WOMAN: Oh don’t worry – I can look them up.
JACK: I’ve also been surfing in County Mayo, which is less well-known for surfing, but we had a really good time. That was a few years ago when the kids were younger. There’s a good surf school at Carrowniskey beach.
WOMAN: How do you spell that?
JACK: C-A-double R-O-W-N-I-S-K-E-Y
WOMAN: OK.
JACK: I put the kids into the surf camp they run during the summer for 10-16 year olds.
WOMAN: Oh right. How long was that for?
JACK: Three hours every day for a week. It was perfect – they were so tired out after that.
WOMAN: I can imagine.
JACK: One thing we did while the kids were surfing was to rent some kayaks to have a look around the bay which is nearby. It’s really beautiful.
WOMAN: Oh, I’d love to do that.
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WOMAN: Now the only time I went to Ireland it rained practically every day.
JACK: Mmm yes – that can be a problem – but you can surf in the rain, you know.
WOMAN: It doesn’t have the same appeal, somehow.
JACK: Well, the weather’s been fine the last couple of years when I’ve been there, but actually, it tends to rain more in August than in the spring or autumn. September’s my favourite month because the water is warmer then.
WOMAN: The only problem is that the kids are back to school then.
JACK: I know. But one good thing about Irish summers is that it doesn’t get too hot. The average temperature is about 19 degrees and it usually doesn’t go above 25 degrees.
WOMAN: That sounds alright. Now what about costs?
JACK: Surfing is a pretty cheap holiday really – the only cost is the hire of equipment. You can expect to pay a daily rate of about 30 euros for the hire of a wetsuit and board – but you can save about 40 euros if you hire by the week.
WOMAN: That’s not too bad.
JACK: No. It’s important to make sure you get good quality wetsuits – you’ll all get too cold if you don’t. And make sure you also get boots. They keep your feet warm and it’s easier to surf with them on too.
WOMAN: OK. Well, thanks very much …