Triple A Employment Agency’s Services - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From IELTS Recent Actual Test 6 Academic Listening Test 3 · Part 1 · Questions 1–10
Audio
Questions
Questions 1–7 Form Completion
Complete the form.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Client Details
Name: Andrew Peterson (Example)
Educational Qualification: Degree in 1
Previous Job: 2
Hobbies: 3
Main Skills: 4
Expected Salary ($): 5
Can start? 6
Other languages? 7
Questions 8–10 Multiple Choice (Three Answers)
Choose THREE letters from the list, A-G.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | engineering | Woman: Well, we have to know your main level of education. It’s a degree, I suppose. Andrew: Yes, but I’m still doing it, in engineering. It’s quite interesting. Some of my friends are studying computing though, so I’m interested in that, also | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the woman from the agency asking Andrew to confirm his education level, and Andrew answers that he is working on a degree in engineering. Answer Explanation: The answer "engineering" refers to the field of study that Andrew is working on for his university degree. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "engineering" because when Andrew is asked about his level of education, he confirms that he is currently getting a degree in that subject. Although he mentions he is also interested in computing, the woman notes down "Engineering" as the main subject of his degree. |
| Q2 | car salesman | Actually, the only job I’ve ever had was as a car salesman, believe it or not | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Andrew explaining that he previously worked as a car salesman. He points out that this is the only job he has done in the past. Answer Explanation: The answer means that Andrew's previous work experience was selling cars. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is car salesman because when Andrew talks about his work history, he says it is the only job he has ever had. This matches the 'Previous Job' section of the form. Keywords like 'only job' and 'ever had' confirm this was his past work experience. |
| Q3 | chess / play chess / playing chess | I play chess occasionally at the university chess club | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Andrew confirming that he plays the game of chess sometimes when he is at his university. Answer Explanation: The answer identifies the board game that Andrew plays as a hobby or leisure activity. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is determined from the section where the woman asks about Andrew's hobbies. Andrew replies that in his free time he plays chess at a club at his university. This is the activity noted as his interest, whereas he specifically says he is not interested in tennis. Keywords such as 'hobbies' and 'free time' signal the relevant part of the conversation. |
| Q4 | electronics | Well, I’m in my third year now, studying electrical machines and generating systems, but I’d say electronics is my best skill— much better than, say, my machine skills, which aren’t so good, actually | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Andrew comparing his different abilities and clearly choosing electronics as the one he is best at. Answer Explanation: The answer is the specific area of knowledge or ability that the person identifies as their strongest talent. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'electronics' because Andrew explicitly states it is his 'best skill' during the conversation. While he mentions studying other topics like electrical machines and generating systems, he clarifies that his electronics skills are much better than his machine skills. |
| Q5 | 1200 / 1,200 | Woman: I’ll just put $1,200, okay? Andrew: That’s fine by me | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the woman suggesting that $1,200 be written on the form, and Andrew says that he agrees with that amount. Answer Explanation: The answer is 1,200, which is the amount of money in dollars that Andrew agrees to list as his preferred monthly salary. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 1,200 because the woman suggesting the job information proposes this specific amount. Andrew asks about the 'standard payment' and 'normal' amounts, and he agrees that $1,200 is 'fine'. |
| Q6 | immediately | Easily! Actually, less. In fact, just give me a ring, and I’ll be able to start immediately, although I admit it’ll take me a few days to get used to getting up early in the morning | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Andrew responding to a question about his start date. He says he can start 'immediately' as soon as the agency calls him on the phone ('give me a ring'). Answer Explanation: The answer means Andrew can start working at a new job right now, without any waiting time. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'immediately' because when the woman asks Andrew if he can start within two days, he replies that he can start even sooner. He explains that he is ready to begin work as soon as he receives a phone call. The keyword 'immediately' means 'without any delay' or 'right away.' |
| Q7 | speaks Spanish / Spanish | Andrew: Spanish, I’ m afraid. You see, I grew up with some friends who came from South America | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Andrew telling the woman that he speaks Spanish, which he learned from his friends. Answer Explanation: The answer is Spanish, which is the additional language that Andrew is able to speak. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is Spanish because during the conversation, Andrew mentions that he can speak another language. Although the woman at the agency asks if it is Chinese, Andrew clarifies that he actually speaks Spanish. He mentions he learned it because his friends were from South America. |
| Q8 | — | — | |
| Q9 | — | — | |
| Q10 | A / E / F | That requires thinking for yourself, outside the box as they say, and being free of the standard ways of approaching tasks. Employers certainly value that But since companies are basically composed of people, it is important to be able to get along with others. There’s no point in hiring someone whom the other employees don’t like, right? That just causes problems — in fact, I would say that being friendly and approachable ranks far more highly than your academic qualifications What may be more important is based on the fact that things inevitably go wrong. Mistakes are made, and someone’s got to fix them in a way that creates the least disturbance. People with demonstrated abilities to do this are certainly regarded highly |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that bosses like people who can think for themselves in new ways, who are friendly and easy to work with (more than just having good grades), and who are good at fixing problems quickly when something goes wrong. Answer Explanation: The answer identifies the three most important qualities employers look for: problem-solving skills, independent thinking, and having a good personality. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is determined by the woman’s explanation of what employers truly value over standard requirements. She emphasizes that while being hard-working or qualified is common, the most highly-regarded traits are the ability to think outside the box (independent thinking), having a friendly nature to get along with others (good personality), and the skill to fix mistakes when they occur (problem-solving skills). She explicitly mentions that personality is more important than school grades and that fixing problems is highly respected. |
Transcript
SECTION 1
You will hear a young student, Andrew, ringing an employment agency, enquiring about their services.
Andrew: Hello. Is this the Triple A Employment agency? .
Woman: Yes.
Andrew: Hi. I rang before. My name’s Andrew. Andrew Peterson. I rang you earlier and gave you my personal details. If you remember, I’m that student looking for work during the summer holidays.
Woman: Oh, sure. Actually, I have your file right here. But... we still need to add some further information.
Andrew: Yeah, that’s what they told me, and that’s why I’m ringing. What do you need to know?
Woman: Well, we have to know your main level of education. It’s a degree, I suppose.
Andrew: Yes, but I’m still doing it, in engineering. It’s quite interesting. Some of my friends are studying computing though, so I’m interested in that, also.
Woman: Well, I’ll just write in your main degree subject. Engineering. We usually have a demand in computing though. Have you worked with computers before? Andrew: No. I just do some programming for fun at the university, but I almost got a job as a computer designer once. Actually, the only job I’ve ever had was as a car salesman, believe it or not.
Woman: Well, at least you’ve had experience dealing with customers. What about hobbies though? Sometimes they can help develop useful skills.
Andrew: Ummm ... in my free time I don’t do much — mostly study. I play chess occasionally at the university chess club. That’s right next to the tennis courts, but I’m not interested in that.
Woman: Chess helps develop analytical skills, so I’ll put that down. Of course, it’s your main skills that employers want to know about. What would you say they are?
Andrew: Well, I’m in my third year now, studying electrical machines and generating systems, but I’d say electronics is my best skill— much better than, say, my machine skills, which aren’t so good, actually.
Woman: Okay ... machine skills are in demand, but so too are electronic ones, so we might be able to find you a part-time job in that field. But what sort of money do you expect to got?
Andrew: Oh, anything really. I’d want the standard payment, let’s say. What’s normal? 1,000 a month? 1,500?
Woman: I’ll just put $1,200, okay?
Andrew: That’s fine by me.
Woman: When can you start? Say, within two days?
Andrew: Easily! Actually, less. In fact, just give me a ring, and I’ll be able to start immediately, although I admit it’ll take me a few days to get used to getting up early in the morning.
Woman: Okay! That’s just about it, unless you’d like to add anything else which may help with your application?
Andrew: Ah, not really. I ride a motorbike, but that’s unimportant. I’m friendly, but every applicant claims that, right? I can speak another language.
Woman: Ah, that might be useful, depending on the language. Is it Chinese? A Chinese speaker would go down well.
Andrew: Spanish, I’ m afraid. You see, I grew up with some friends who came from South America.
Woman: Okay, I’ll write that down, but I don’t think it will help that much, sorry to say.
Andrew: Well, thanks for your help, and hopefully I’ll get a job soon, but can I just ask one more question? [Sure] What, basically, are employers looking for when they Interview someone?
Woman: Oh, many things. Being hardworking, diligent, and focused on your job is good, but surprisingly, it often means you can’t see the bigger picture, or provide suggestions which help the company move forward. That requires thinking for yourself, outside the box as they say, and being free of the standard ways of approaching tasks. Employers certainly value that.
Andrew: I guess experience must help, though?
Woman: It depends. If it involved a routine job, one which didn’t exercise your mind, it might not mean that much at all. But since companies are basically composed of people, it is important to be able to get along with others. There’s no point in hiring someone whom the other employees don’t like, right? That just causes problems — in fact, I would say that being friendly and approachable ranks far more highly than your academic qualifications.
Andrew: Okay, and that’s all assessed at the interview, right?
Woman: Yes, and your qualifications, experience, and approach to the job, such as whether you can do different things, work overtime, or do long hours as needed. But those latter qualities are pretty much standard. What may be more important is based on the fact that things inevitably go wrong. Mistakes are made, and someone’s got to fix them in a way that creates the least disturbance. People with demonstrated abilities to do this are certainly regarded highly.
Andrew: I see. That’s very interesting