Accommodation - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Collins Practice Tests For IELTS 3 Academic Listening Test 2 · Part 3 · Questions 21–30
Audio
Questions
Questions 21–24 Multiple Choice (One Answer)
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Questions 25–26 Multiple Choice (Two Answers)
Choose TWO letters, A-E.
Questions 27–30 Multiple Choice (One Answer)
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q21 | B | I'll be going into my final year after the summer so I'm guaranteed a place on campus in any one of the university halls | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Lee saying that he will definitely have a room to stay in at the university because he is starting his last year. Answer Explanation: The answer means that Lee is sure he can live in the university's buildings if he wants to because he is in his last year of study. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because Lee mentions he is going into his final year and is 'guaranteed' a place in the university halls. In English, 'guaranteed' means that something is certain to happen or promised. He also mentions that the university gives 'priority' to final year students, meaning they are given a place first before others. Choice A is incorrect because while he is guaranteed a place, he doesn't 'have to' (must) stay there; he can choose to live elsewhere. Choice C is incorrect because he refers to 'any one' of the halls, which implies there is more than one. |
| Q22 | A | Broomfield Hall is where all the high-end, so-called luxury rooms are. Really nicely decorated, your own shower and toilet. You have to share a kitchen, but they're huge. You could hold a party in there. They're not cheap, though. There's no way I could afford to live in one | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript describes the rooms in Broomfield Hall as fancy and high-quality, but it also says they cost a lot of money and the speaker cannot pay for them. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the cost to stay in Broomfield Hall is very high. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because Lee explains that Broomfield Hall contains expensive "luxury" rooms. He specifically mentions that "they’re not cheap" and that he doesn’t have enough money to stay there. This confirms that the rent is high. Choice B is incorrect because while he says the kitchens are big enough to have a party, he doesn't say students actually have them frequently. Choice C is incorrect because he states that rooms have their "own shower and toilet," which means they are not shared. |
| Q23 | C | They're not quite so expensive | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that Lee considers the price of these rooms to be reasonable or cheap compared to the other rooms mentioned. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the cost of renting a room in the Crifield building is lower than the luxury options. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is **C** because Lee says the rooms in Crifield are "not quite so expensive." This is a synonym for being "more affordable," meaning they cost less money. Lee compares these to the luxury rooms at Broomfield Hall, which he says are not cheap and that he cannot afford. Although he mentions a view, he says the view is gone now, making choice A incorrect. |
| Q24 | C | One's on the High Street and there's a lot of passing traffic so it could be a bit noisy | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the house on High Street is next to a road where many cars go past, which makes it loud. Answer Explanation: The answer is that the house located on the High Street is on a road with many cars and vehicles driving by. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because Lee says there is a lot of "passing traffic" at that house. When there is a lot of traffic, it means the road is very busy. This matches the phrase "busy road" used in the answer choice. He also notes that because of all this traffic, the house could be a bit "noisy." |
| Q25 | — | — | |
| Q26 | B / E | It's in a residential area, there's not much traffic outside and there's a living room that everyone can use | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that the house is in a place where not many cars go past, so it is quiet. It also says the house has a living room where all the housemates can spend time together. Answer Explanation: The answer means there is a room in the house that everyone uses together, and the house is in a place that is not loud. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B and E because the transcript describes the second house as having a "living room that everyone can use," which means there is a shared space. It also mentions that "there's not much traffic outside," which implies the location is quiet. Other options are incorrect because the transcript says it has no garden and is fully furnished (needs no furniture). |
| Q27 | A | I've been asked if I'm interested in sharing with a couple of people on my course, but I'm not sure I want to live with them and I haven't agreed to anything yet | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that other students offered Susan a place to live, but she is still considering her options and has not made a final promise to them. Answer Explanation: The answer means that Susan has already received an offer from other students to live together in a shared house. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the text mentions that Susan was 'asked' by people from her course to share a home with them. In this context, being 'asked' is a synonym for being 'invited'. Although she mentions she hasn't 'agreed to anything yet' and is 'not sure' if she wants to live with those specific people, the invitation itself has already taken place. This makes A the only correct choice, as she has not yet 'decided' (ruling out B) and she is unsure if she 'wants' to live with those specific classmates (ruling out C). |
| Q28 | C | I'll book a date to see it and pick up any forms that need to be completed from the accommodation office | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Susan telling Lee that she will make an appointment to see the house and also get the documents she needs to fill out from the housing office. Answer Explanation: The answer means that Susan needs to finish filling out some forms or paperwork. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because Susan says she will get and finish some paperwork before visiting the house. In the conversation, she says she will 'pick up any forms that need to be completed.' To 'complete' a form means to finish a task or 'work.' Other answers are wrong because choice A mentions lectures, but Lee says lectures are already over. Choice B says she has to talk to a teacher (tutor), but Lee is the one waiting for his teacher, not Susan. |
| Q29 | C | The problem is we'll have to pay a deposit. And that would be for the whole house, all three rooms. Unless we pay that ourselves, we'll need to find someone else soon | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the money paid to hold the house (the deposit) covers all three rooms. Susan says that if they cannot find a third friend, she and Lee must pay for the whole house using only their own money. Answer Explanation: The answer means that Susan and Lee want a third person so they do not have to pay the extra money for the empty room by themselves. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because Susan mentions that they have to pay a deposit for the entire house, including all three bedrooms. If they do not find a third person ('someone else') soon, Lee and Susan will have to pay the full amount of the deposit for the empty room ('pay that ourselves'). Finding a third person helps them share the cost so they do not have to pay a larger amount. |
| Q30 | B | Well, the first thing is to book an appointment to see it But if you see anyone today who might be interested, try to get them to join us when we have a look |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Susan emphasizing the importance of seeing the house (the viewing) as the very first step. She tells Lee they must book an appointment to see it before doing anything else. She also suggests that if they find someone else who might want to share the house, that person should join them during this initial viewing to see the place first. Answer Explanation: The answer means Susan believes they should visit the house to see it (viewing) before officially asking a third person to live there with them. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because Susan highlights that visiting the property is the highest priority. When the discussion turns toward sharing a house, she immediately states that the first step is to see it. When Lee suggests they should check if the place is 'suitable' before worrying about roommates, Susan agrees with the sequence and further suggests inviting potential roommates to that initial viewing. This shows she thinks the house should be viewed by everyone before a final decision to 'join' the tenancy is made. Keywords like 'first thing', 'see it', and 'when we have a look' emphasize this focus on viewing. |
Transcript
Susan: Hiya, Lee. I saw you coming out of the accommodation office earlier. Have you found anywhere yet? I've had no luck at all so far.
Lee: Yes, they're really helpful in there. They talked me through what's available on campus and what I'd expect to have to pay.
Susan: Really? Then I guess I'll pay them a visit as well. So, have you found somewhere?
Lee: I haven't made a decision yet, to be honest. I'll be going into my final year after the summer so I'm guaranteed a place on campus in any one of the university halls. Did you know they give priority to first and final year students?
Susan: Yes, I know. That's why I'm having trouble finding somewhere. I've still got two years to go on my course so it's impossible for me to get a place. So, what are you going to do?
Lee: I'm not sure I want to live on campus, actually. Broomfield Hall is where all the high-end, so-called luxury rooms are. Really nicely decorated, your own shower and toilet. You have to share a kitchen, but they're huge. You could hold a party in there. They're not cheap, though. There's no way I could afford to live in one.
Susan: What about Crifield – that block near the sports hall? I've got a friend who lives there and the rooms seem OK.
Lee: Yes, we talked about them. They're not quite so expensive. There used to be a great view of the fields by the back of the university from there until they built that new conference centre. I'm not that keen on living there.
Susan: But you might not have any choice unless you're prepared to find somewhere off campus.
Lee: I hadn't considered living in town again but then the accommodation officer showed me a couple of places that looked interesting. They're both three-bedroom town houses. One's on the High Street and there's a lot of passing traffic so it could be a bit noisy. There are two students living there and they're looking for someone to take the third bedroom, but I think I'd prefer to live with people I know.
Susan: Still, it could work out OK for you. Hopefully you'd get on with the people who live there.
Lee: Well, that's the thing. The other house the accommodation officer told me about doesn't have any tenants yet. It's another three-bedroom place. No garden, like the other one, but it's fully furnished. It's in a residential area, there's not much traffic outside and there's a living room that everyone can use. Sounds promising.
Susan: It's also down the road from the train station, and the bus onto campus stops just around the corner.
Lee: You'd have to find people to share with. Have you got anyone in mind?
Susan: Well, what about you? If you got in quick, you'd be able to take one of the two large bedrooms. The third one's not tiny but one of the other two would suit you. And you haven't found anywhere yet, have you?
Lee: I've been asked if I'm interested in sharing with a couple of people on my course, but I'm not sure I want to live with them and I haven't agreed to anything yet. So, yes, I'd be interested in having a look. What do we have to do?
Susan: Well, the first thing is to book an appointment to see it. Are you free this week?
Lee: Our lectures have come to an end so it should be OK. I did have an appointment to see my tutor but she hasn't confirmed yet so any time after Wednesday. I've got my assignment deadline then.
Susan: OK. I'll book a date to see it and pick up any forms that need to be completed from the accommodation office. The problem is we'll have to pay a deposit. And that would be for the whole house, all three rooms. Unless we pay that ourselves, we'll need to find someone else soon.
Lee: That shouldn't be difficult. Some of our friends have already found places but there are a few like us still having problems finding somewhere. But let's have a look at it first, just in case it's not suitable.
Susan: But if you see anyone today who might be interested, try to get them to join us when we have a look.
Lee: All right. I'll do that. And when you go to the accommodation office, ask them if we can pay something towards the deposit just to reserve it. Then maybe they can take it off the system for 48 hours so nobody else can view it.
Susan: OK, I'll let you know later how I get on.