Holiday Flat Instructions and Guide - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 09 Academic Listening Test 4 · Part 2 · Questions 11–20
Audio
Questions
Questions 11–13 Diagram Labeling
Label the diagram below.
Choose THREE answers from the box and write the correct letter, A-E.
A. electricity indicator | B. on/off switch | C. reset button
D. time control | E. warning indicator
Questions 14–18 Matching
Where can each of the following items be found?
Choose FIVE answers from the box and write the correct letter, A-G.
A. in box on washing machine
B. in cupboard on landing
C. in chest of drawers
D. next to window in living room
E. on shelf by back door
F. on top of television
G. under kitchen sink
Questions 19–20 Note Completion
Complete the notes below.
Write ONE WORD AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
The best place to park in town – next to the station
Phone number for takeaway pizzas – 19
Railway museum closed on 20
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q11 | B | The first one - the round one on the far left - is the most important one for the heating and hot water. It's the main control switch. Make sure it's in the 'on' position | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the first knob on the far left is the most important part. The man calls it the 'main control switch' and tells Laura to check that it is turned to 'on' so the water gets hot. Answer Explanation: The answer is the button or switch used to turn the heater on and off. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the man identifies the first round button on the far left as the 'main control switch.' He explains that it must be in the 'on' position for the heating and hot water to work, which clearly identifies its function as turning the unit on or off. |
| Q12 | C | Below the heating controls in the middle is a small round plastic button. If there isn't enough water in the pipes, sometimes the heater goes out. If this happens you'll need to press this button to reset the heater | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript describes a small, round button located under the main controls. It explains that if the machine turns off, you must push this specific button to make it start working again. Answer Explanation: The answer is the button used to restart or reset the machine if it stops working. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the man in the transcript specifically identifies a 'small round plastic button' located in the middle, below the main heating controls. He explains that its function is to 'reset the heater' if it stops working, which directly matches the label 'reset button'. Keywords to notice include 'button' and 'reset'. |
| Q13 | E | Then there's a little square indicator under the third knob that's a kind of alarm light. It'll flash if you need to reset the heater | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that there is a small square light under the third control dial. This light flashes to warn the user if they need to press the button to make the heater work again. Answer Explanation: The answer is option E because it refers to a small light that tells you when there is a problem with the heater. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is E because the man in the transcript describes a small square part on the water heater. He explains that this part is an 'alarm light' that 'will flash' if the heater needs to be fixed or restarted (reset). In equipment diagrams, an alarm or flashing light that shows a problem is called a 'warning indicator.' The word 'alarm' is a synonym for 'warning,' and 'indicator' describes something that shows or signals information. |
| Q14 | B | Pillows yes. If you look in the cupboard, the large white one upstairs - to the left of the bathroom door - there should be four or five on the top shelf |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that if the woman looks in the big white cupboard on the top floor, next to the bathroom door, she will find four or five pillows. Answer Explanation: The answer is that the pillows are located in a cupboard on the upper floor area. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the man explains that the pillows are inside a large white cupboard located upstairs, specifically to the left of the bathroom door. The term 'landing' in English refers to the floor area at the top of the stairs where doors to different rooms are found. Therefore, a cupboard located 'upstairs' next to a bathroom door is correctly described as being in a cupboard on the landing. |
| Q15 | E | And if you want to do some washing, there's some powder for that probably by the back door. There's a kind of shelf there above the sink. In fact, I'm sure there's some there, in a large blue box |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript tells us that the soap used for cleaning clothes (washing powder) is located on a shelf near the rear entrance (back door) of the house. Answer Explanation: The answer is E, meaning the washing powder is on a shelf by the back door. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is E because the man explains that if the woman wants to do laundry, she can find the washing powder near the back door on a shelf located above a sink. Keywords to listen for include 'washing', 'powder', 'back door', and 'shelf'. |
| Q16 | D | And that reminds me, the spare key to the back door is hanging on a hook on the wall by the sitting room window | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the extra key for the back door is kept on a hook on the wall, located beside the window in the sitting room. Answer Explanation: The answer is D, which means the key is located near a window in the living area. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is D because the speaker mentions that the spare key for the back door is hanging on the wall right next to the window in the sitting room. In English, 'sitting room' is a synonym for 'living room.' |
| Q17 | A | And if you have any trouble with the lamps, you'll find some spare bulbs in a large cardboard box. It's on top of the washing machine with all kinds of useful things in it | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that if the lights (lamps) stop working, the guests can find extra light bulbs (spare bulbs) inside a big box made of cardboard. This box is placed on top of the machine used for washing clothes. Answer Explanation: The answer is option A, which means the light bulbs are inside a box that is sitting on top of the washing machine. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the man mentions that if there is a problem with the lamps, guests should look for 'spare bulbs.' He specifically says these are located in a 'large cardboard box' which is 'on top of the washing machine.' In this context, 'bulbs' is a shortened way to say 'light bulbs.' |
| Q18 | C | I've left you a local map, so you'll be able to find your way around easily. It shows the whole area. I put it in the top drawer of the chest under the TV in your bedroom | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the man telling the woman that he put the local map in the top drawer of a chest that is under the television. Answer Explanation: The answer is option C, which means the map is inside a chest of drawers. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the man explicitly states that he left a local map in the top drawer of the chest located under the TV. In this context, "chest" refers to a piece of furniture with drawers, making "chest of drawers" the perfect match. |
| Q19 | 732281 | But if you want a takeaway, the Italian one does really good pasta and pizzas. Call 7-3 double 2, 8-1 for that one | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that if you want a meal to take home (a takeaway), the Italian restaurant has good pizza and you should call the number 7-3-2-2-8-1. Answer Explanation: The answer is the phone number you should call to order pizza to take home. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 732281 because the man in the talk says that is the number for the Italian restaurant, which sells good pizzas. He says the digits as '7', '3', 'double 2' (meaning 22), and then '8-1'. Together, these numbers make 732281. |
| Q20 | Thursday / Thursdays | but not on Thursdays which is market day - you won't find anywhere to park and it's also the only day of the week when they're not open | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the museum is not open on Thursdays, which means it is closed on that day. Answer Explanation: The answer is the day of the week when people cannot visit the railway museum because it is closed. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is Thursday because the man explicitly states it is the only day of the week when the museum is not open. He advises the woman to visit on a quieter day but warns her to avoid Thursdays. In this context, "not open" means the museum is closed. |
Transcript
MAN: Hello?
WOMAN: Hi. It's Laura Carlton here. We've just arrived at the holiday flat, but I can't get the hot water and heating to work.
MAN: Oh right! That's easy. Don't worry. In the upstairs cupboard, you'll find the water heater. You'll see three main controls on the left at the bottom of the heater. The first one - the round one on the far left - is the most important one for the heating and hot water. It's the main control switch. Make sure it's in the 'on' position. The switch itself doesn't light up, but the little square below will be black if the switch is 'off'. That's probably what's happened - it's got switched off by mistake. The middle one of these three controls - you'll see it's slightly larger than the first one - controls the radiators. If you feel cold while you're there and need the radiators on, this needs to be turned to maximum. The last of the three controls - the one on the right - is usually on about a number four setting which for the water in the taps is usually quite hot enough.
Below the heating controls in the middle is a small round plastic button. If there isn't enough water in the pipes, sometimes the heater goes out. If this happens you'll need to press this button to reset the heater. Hold it in for about five seconds and the heater should come on again. Then there's a little square indicator under the third knob that's a kind of alarm light. It'll flash if you need to reset the heater.
WOMAN: It sounds complicated ...
MAN: I'm sure you won't have any problems with it. There should be some more instructions on the side of the heater. Call me back if you can't make it work.
WOMAN: Okay.
WOMAN: While you're on the phone, we haven't managed to find a few things we need, like extra pillows for the beds and some washing powder. Is there any here?
MAN: Pillows ... yes. If you look in the cupboard, the large white one upstairs - to the left of the bathroom door - there should be four or five on the top shelf. And if you want to do some washing, there's some powder for that ... probably by the back door. There's a kind of shelf there above the sink. In fact, I'm sure there's some there, in a large blue box. You need about half a cup full for each wash.
And that reminds me, the spare key to the back door is hanging on a hook on the wall by the sitting room window. Please make sure to put it back when you've used it. The previous guests lost it in the garden and I had to get another one made! And if you have any trouble with the lamps, you'll find some spare bulbs in a large cardboard box. It's on top of the washing machine with all kinds of useful things in it.
Oh, and another thing I forgot to mention when we last spoke ...
WOMAN: Yes?
MAN: I've left you a local map, so you'll be able to find your way around easily. It shows the whole area. I put it in the top drawer of the chest under the TV in your bedroom. There's a whole file of local information in there too.
WOMAN: Thanks. What about visiting the town? Can you give us any advice?
MAN: Yes. You'll need to take the car. It's too far to walk from the flat really. You have to pay to leave your car in all the car parks now I'm afraid ... I like the one that's by the station best and you can walk to the town centre from there in five minutes. That's where all the best restaurants are. But if you want a takeaway, the Italian one does really good pasta and pizzas. Call 7-3 double 2, 8-1 for that one, or 7 double 6, double 1, 9 for the Chinese. They're both good and they'll both deliver to the flat.
As for places to visit, yes, do go and see the railway museum. The exhibition is small but really good. It gets very crowded on Sundays, so I suggest you visit it on a quieter day, later in the week, but not on Thursdays which is market day - you won't find anywhere to park and it's also the only day of the week when they're not open! Anything else?
WOMAN: Not for the moment. Thanks!