Ferry to Shetland Islands - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 21 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.
Ferry to Shetland Islands
- Name of ferry company: 1 Ferries
- Ferries depart seven times per 2 in summer
- Cost for four people with car: a little less than £ 3
- Cancellation policy: receive a 4
(if cancelled a month in advance)
Advice
- Cabins:
- book one with a 5
- luxury cabins have a TV
- Bring snacks and 6 for the children
- A 7 is required for the dog kennels
- Try to see 8 in the morning
- If time, visit 9 Castle
- The 10 restaurant in a nearby village is recommended
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | Northern | There's only one – it's called Northern Ferries | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Paul identifying the specific name of the boat group as Northern Ferries. Answer Explanation: The answer is the specific name given to the boat company that travels to the islands. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is Northern because Paul explains that there is a single boat service available and tells Tammy its full name when she asks about the company he used. |
| Q2 | week | The service is pretty limited – there's only one ferry leaving every evening in summer anyway, seven days a week – I'm not sure about the winter months | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that during the summer season, the company runs one ferry trip each night, totaling seven trips per week. Answer Explanation: The answer "week" refers to a period of seven days. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "week" because Paul describes the summer schedule for the ferry service. He explains that one boat leaves every evening, which means the ferry departs seven times during one week. |
| Q3 | 250 | They were really cheap and four people and a car worked out at just under £250 | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Paul explaining that the total price for four individuals and one automobile was slightly lower than 250 pounds. Answer Explanation: The answer is the price of the tickets for four passengers and one vehicle, which was 250 pounds. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is derived from the conversation where Paul mentions the total cost for four people and a car was 'just under £250'. In the notes, the phrase 'a little less than' is a synonym for 'just under', which confirms that the number requested for the gap is 250. |
| Q4 | voucher | That could be a problem. I don't think it's their policy to give refunds – just a voucher – which you can use at a later date. But you have to cancel a month in advance to get that | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Paul telling Tammy that the ferry company only gives a voucher if a customer cancels their booking four weeks early. He explains that they do not give you your money back directly. Answer Explanation: The answer is a piece of paper or electronic credit that you can use instead of money to pay for something later. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'voucher' because Paul explains the ferry company's rules for when someone cannot go on their trip. He says they do not give cash back (a refund). Instead, they provide a credit you can spend another time, provided you tell them at least one month before your travel date. |
| Q5 | window | We booked too late to get a cabin with a window | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that Paul was not able to get a cabin with a view because they did not make their reservation soon enough. He thinks these cabins are the best choice. Answer Explanation: The answer "window" refers to an opening in the side of a cabin that lets you see outside. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "window" because Paul explains that he wanted a cabin where he could see the ocean. He says that his family waited too long to book, so they did not get a cabin with a window. He recommends getting one because they are much better than cabins that are inside the ship. |
| Q6 | books | PAUL: Not really. So it's best to bring some books for them | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Paul explaining that because the wifi is not good, Tammy should take books for the kids to use. Answer Explanation: The answer is books, which are items with pages that people read. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is derived from Paul's advice regarding entertainment. He mentions that the internet service (wifi) is poor, so he recommends bringing books to keep the children busy during the trip. |
| Q7 | blanket | The kennels on board are OK – they're quite big – you just need to provide a blanket | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that the cages for pets on the ship are a good size, but you must bring a piece of thick cloth for your dog. Answer Explanation: The answer 'blanket' refers to a piece of soft, warm cloth that you need to bring for your pet. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'blanket' because Paul describes the experience of bringing a dog on the ferry. He mentions that while the ship has kennels (small rooms or cages) for the dogs, it is necessary to bring your own blanket for the animal to use. The word 'provide' in the text indicates that the ferry company does not give you one. |
| Q8 | dolphins | They loved being on the sea at night and in the morning keeping a lookout for dolphins – we saw loads | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that the children had a great time watching the ocean in the morning specifically to find 'dolphins', which they saw in large numbers. Answer Explanation: The answer 'dolphins' refers to the marine animals that Paul and his children searched for and observed while on the ferry. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'dolphins' because Paul highlights this as a highlight of the boat trip for his children. He mentions that during the morning part of their journey, the kids stayed busy by watching the water to spot these animals, and they were successful in seeing many of them. This makes it a recommended activity for someone traveling with children. |
| Q9 | Drum | PAUL: Drum Castle | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Paul giving the specific name of the castle they visited while they were waiting for their boat to depart. Answer Explanation: The answer "Drum" is the name of the castle that Paul recommends visiting near the city of Aberdeen. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is confirmed when Paul mentions that his family had extra time before their ferry left. Instead of waiting at the port, they decided to go to a nearby attraction. When Tammy asks for the name of the place, Paul identifies it as "Drum Castle." He describes it as a place with a tall tower, pretty gardens, and very old trees, making it a good suggestion for Tammy's trip. |
| Q10 | Italian | We looked up restaurants in the area and found an Italian one in a village nearby | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that Paul and his family searched for a place to eat and chose a restaurant that serves Italian food in a town close to the castle. Answer Explanation: The answer "Italian" tells us the type of food the recommended restaurant serves. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is based on Paul's description of his trip. When talking about where they ate near the castle, he mentions finding an Italian restaurant in a village close to Aberdeen. Using the word "Italian" identifies which specific type of restaurant was found. |
Transcript
TAMMY: You know when you went to the Shetland Islands last year, Paul? Did you go by ferry or did you fly?
PAUL: We went by ferry, Tammy. I prefer driving to flying – the journey feels like part of the holiday.
TAMMY: Mmm. Which ferry company did you use?
PAUL: There's only one – it's called Northern Ferries. The ferries all leave from Aberdeen.
TAMMY: How frequent are they?
PAUL: The service is pretty limited – there's only one ferry leaving every evening in summer anyway, seven days a week – I'm not sure about the winter months. They may only run on four or five days then.
TAMMY: OK. So it's an overnight trip. I quite like that idea. Leaving at night and waking up as you arrive on the island. Can you remember how much you paid for your tickets?
PAUL: They were really cheap and four people and a car worked out at just under £250.
TAMMY: Really? I was expecting it to be more like £400 during the peak season.
PAUL: So was I. It's great value. It's a good idea to book in advance because I think they get booked up quite quickly – especially during the school holidays.
TAMMY: Yes, I suppose so. I'm just not 100% sure of our plans yet. What if I had to cancel?
PAUL: That could be a problem. I don't think it's their policy to give refunds – just a voucher – which you can use at a later date. But you have to cancel a month in advance to get that.
TAMMY: Right. Well we need to make up our minds quickly then.
PAUL: You'd want to book a cabin too. We booked too late to get a cabin with a window. They're more expensive but much nicer than the inner cabins. You don't have to book a cabin at all but I think it's worth paying for. They also have luxury cabins, which are only for two people and have a TV – but I wouldn't bother with those.
TAMMY: No, I agree.
PAUL: The only other thing I can think of is to make sure you bring snacks for the kids. The selection on board is quite limited and not that healthy either.
TAMMY: Mmm. What about wifi on board? Is that any good?
PAUL: Not really. So it's best to bring some books for them.
TAMMY: OK. We may need to bring the dog if I can't get anyone to look after him.
PAUL: We brought ours and it was fine. The kennels on board are OK – they're quite big – you just need to provide a blanket.
TAMMY: Uhuh. Sounds good.
PAUL: It was all very easy really – and it was quite an adventure for the kids. They loved being on the sea at night and in the morning keeping a lookout for dolphins – we saw loads.
TAMMY: Oh, the kids would love that!
PAUL: One other thing. We arrived in Aberdeen hours before the ferry was due to leave so we decided to go somewhere else rather than hang around at the port for so long.
TAMMY: Where did you go?
PAUL: Drum Castle.
TAMMY: I've never heard of it. Is that spelt like the instrument?
PAUL: Yeah. It's really worth visiting. It's got an impressive tower and beautiful gardens and ancient woodland.
TAMMY: Sounds lovely. Does it have a restaurant?
PAUL: It's only got a coffee shop – no restaurant. We looked up restaurants in the area and found an Italian one in a village nearby. I can check the name of it for you if you're interested.
TAMMY: Oh thanks Paul that would be ....