Advice On Plumbers And Decorators - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From IELTS Practice Test Plus 3 Academic Listening Test 5 · Part 1 · Questions 1–10
Audio
Questions
Questions 1–2 Note Completion
Complete the notes below.
Write NO MORE THAN ONE WORD for each answer.
Advice on plumbers and decorators
Example
Make sure the company is: local.
Don't call a plumber during the 1
Look at trade website: www.2.com
Questions 3–10 Table Completion
Complete the table below.
Write NO MORE THAN ONE WORD for each answer.
| Name | Positive points | Negative points |
|---|---|---|
| Peake's Plumbing |
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| John Damerol Plumbing Services |
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| Simonson Plasterers |
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| H.L. Plastering |
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Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | weekends / weekend | But another piece of advice I'd give is try to avoid calling anybody on weekends. That'll really bump up the prices. Leave it till Monday if you can | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Alastair advising Ruth to wait until Monday to call for help, because calling someone on a Saturday or Sunday will make the cost of the work much higher. Answer Explanation: The answer means you should not phone a plumber on a Saturday or Sunday to avoid paying extra money. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is found when Alastair gives Ruth tips on how to save money. He suggests that she should 'avoid' (stay away from) calling for repairs on the weekends because doing so will 'bump up' (increase) the prices. He recommends waiting until Monday to keep the costs lower. |
| Q2 | plasdeco | Well, there's quite a good website covering this sort of work. It's www.plasdeco.com | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Alastair telling Ruth about a useful website address that she can use to look for professional trade services for her home. Answer Explanation: The answer is the name of the website that Alastair suggests Ruth visit to find local companies that can fix her home. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "plasdeco" because Alastair recommends a specific website when Ruth asks for a list or directory of helpful businesses. He explains that this website is used for these types of home repair jobs and even provides the address so she can check the prices and the quality of the workers. This matches the request in the notes for a 'trade website'. |
| Q3 | clear | There's a company called Peak's Plumbing. Now, they're a father and son team. They're really friendly and they tell you information you need in a clear way, you know, so they really understand what the problem is | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that Alastair recommends Peak's Plumbing because they are friendly and explain things very well so you can understand the situation. Answer Explanation: The answer 'clear' means that the information is easy to see, hear, or understand. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'clear' because Alastair describes Peak's Plumbing as a friendly father and son team. He mentions that they provide information in a 'clear way' so that customers can understand what the problem is. This matches the 'Positive points' column in the table, which asks for the type of information they give. |
| Q4 | late / unreliable | Well, that's a downside. Every single time I've used them, they arrive late. And friends have said the same thing | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Alastair mentioning a specific problem with the company: they are never on time. He uses 'downside' to introduce this negative fact and 'every single time' to show that being late happens always. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the plumbers do not arrive at the time they promised, or they are not dependable when it comes to being on time. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is identified from Alastair's description of a 'downside' (a negative point) for Peake's Plumbing. He explains that every time he uses them, they 'arrive late.' Since they consistently fail to be on time, they are considered 'unreliable.' In the table, 'Always' matches Alastair's phrase 'Every single time.' |
| Q5 | cheaper | Basically, he comes out cheaper, you know, than other people | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that John Damerol's main advantage is that he costs less money (is cheaper) than other plumbing services. Answer Explanation: The answer "cheaper" means that the service or worker costs less money than others. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "cheaper" because Alastair explains that the main reason to choose John Damerol Plumbing Services is that his price is lower compared to other plumbers. In the table, this is listed as a positive point because it saves the customer money. |
| Q6 | messy | Oh, he comes when he says he's coming. But he's not very courteous. And he has the tendency to be messy, you know, so you have quite a bit of clearing up to do | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that the plumber is reliable (he arrives on time), but he is not polite and often leaves a mess for the homeowner to clean up. Answer Explanation: The answer 'messy' describes someone who is not clean or tidy while working. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'messy' because, in the conversation, Alastair describes the negative side of hiring John Dameral. He mentions that even though John is reliable and cheaper, he is not polite and leaves things in a state that is not clean, which Alastair specifically calls being 'messy.' This means the customer will have to clean up after him. |
| Q7 | designs | Ruth: So they can do a variety of designs? Alastair: You've got it. But it comes at a premium because they are more expensive, you know | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Ruth asking if the plastering company is able to create many different types of patterns (designs), and Alastair confirms this by saying "You've got it." Answer Explanation: The answer means the patterns or shapes used to make a ceiling or room look beautiful. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "designs" because Alastair explains that Simonson Plasterers can do "fancy work" around ceiling lights. Ruth asks if this means they can do a "variety of designs," and Alastair confirms that she is correct. In this context, "a variety of" acts as a synonym for "lots of different," which matches the requirement in the table. |
| Q8 | expensive | Alastair: You've got it. But it comes at a premium because they are more expensive, you know | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Alastair confirming that the company offers many designs, but warns that they cost more money by using the word 'expensive'. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the services from Simonson Plasterers cost a lot of money. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'expensive' because Alastair explains that while Simonson Plasterers can do many designs, their prices are higher. He explicitly says they are 'more expensive' compared to other options when Ruth asks for details about the company. |
| Q9 | painting | Ruth: Do either of them do painting for you if you want, after the plastering's dried out, of course? Alastair: That's what I was going to say, but I should explain that Harry's quite old now and so he avoids doing jobs which involve tall ladders, you know | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Ruth asking if the workers can help with painting. Alastair says that was exactly what he was going to mention about the worker named Harry, though he adds that Harry doesn't use tall ladders. Answer Explanation: The answer 'painting' is a regular word for putting color or fresh surface material on walls using a brush or roller. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is found when Ruth asks if the plastering companies also provide the service of painting the walls after the plaster dries. Alastair agrees that Harry Lester (H.L. Plastering) can do this, confirming that painting is an additional work service he offers. |
| Q10 | ladders / ladder | That's what I was going to say, but I should explain that Harry's quite old now and so he avoids doing jobs which involve tall ladders, you know | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that Harry is an older man, so he stays away from any work where he would have to use high ladders to climb. Answer Explanation: The answer 'ladder(s)' refers to equipment with steps that people use to climb up and reach high places. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'ladder(s)' because the neighbor, Alastair, explains that Harry Lester (from H.L. Plastering) is getting old. Because of his age, he 'avoids' (chooses not to do) work that requires him to use 'tall' (high or long) tools for climbing. The table uses the word 'long' instead of 'tall' to describe these tools. |
Transcript
Narrator: Test 5, section 1. You will hear a woman who has just moved into the area talking to a neighbor about problems she is having in her house. First, you have some time to look at questions 1 to 2.
Narrator: You will see that there is an example which has been done for you. On this occasion only, the conversation relating to this will be played first.
Alastair: Oh, hi Ruth. How are you?
Ruth: I'm sorry to bother you Alastair, but I've been having some problems.
Alastair: Oh, come on in. What's happened?
Ruth: Basically, I had a leak from one of the pipes in the bathroom and water started coming through downstairs and the kitchen ceiling's badly stained. I've got the leak fixed temporarily, but I wasn't happy with the plumber and I wanted to ask your advice.
Alastair: Of course. Well, the first thing I'd say is make sure you choose a local company. That way if things go wrong, you're close by and it just makes things easier.
Narrator: Alastair says that Ruth should choose a local company. So, local has been written in the space. Now we shall begin. You should answer the questions as you listen because you will not hear the recording a second time. Listen carefully and answer questions 1 to 2.
Alastair: Oh, hi Ruth. How are you?
Ruth: I'm sorry to bother you Alastair, but I've been having some problems.
Alastair: Oh, come on in. What's happened?
Ruth: Basically, I had a leak from one of the pipes in the bathroom and water started coming through downstairs and the kitchen ceiling's badly stained. I've got the leak fixed temporarily, but I wasn't happy with the plumber and I wanted to ask your advice.
Alastair: Of course. Well, the first thing I'd say is make sure you choose a local company. That way if things go wrong, you're close by and it just makes things easier.
Ruth: Let me write this down. Right. Yes, the plumber who fixed things yesterday was from quite far away, but I chose him because his advert said he did emergency repairs.
Alastair: Well, fair enough. You needed something in a hurry. But another piece of advice I'd give is try to avoid calling anybody on weekends. That'll really bump up the prices. Leave it till Monday if you can.
Ruth: Well, yes, I think I can do that because the temporary fix should hold. And obviously I'll need the ceiling plastered and eventually redecorated.
Alastair: Yeah, sure.
Ruth: So who would you recommend? Is there a directory?
Alastair: Well, there's quite a good website covering this sort of work. It's www.plasdeco.com.
Ruth: Is that with a K?
Alastair: A C. P-L-A-S-D-E-C-O.com.
Ruth: Got it. Well, I'll try to have a look at that.
Alastair: Yes, it gives price and quality comparisons.
Ruth: Oh, that'll be useful. But I find personal recommendations really helpful as well. You know, you can find out whether you can rely on the company.
Alastair: Well, I know a couple of reasonable plumbers and also some plasterers.
Ruth: Great.
Narrator: Before you hear the rest of the conversation, you have some time to look at questions 3 to 10.
Narrator: Now listen and answer questions 3 to 10.
Alastair: There's a company called Peak's Plumbing. Now, they're a father and son team. They're really friendly and they tell you information you need in a clear way, you know, so they really understand what the problem is.
Ruth: Right. Well, that's good to know. Are they reliable?
Alastair: Well, that's a downside. Every single time I've used them, they arrive late. And friends have said the same thing.
Ruth: But is the work good quality?
Alastair: Absolutely. Another one is John Dameral Plumbing Services. He's very good.
Ruth: How do you spell the surname?
Alastair: D-A-M-E-R-O-L.
Ruth: Right, got that. And does he do high quality work?
Alastair: Well, it's fine, you know, but I wouldn't say that was his main point. Basically, he comes out cheaper, you know, than other people.
Ruth: I sense there's a but. Is he unreliable?
Alastair: Oh, he comes when he says he's coming. But he's not very courteous. And he has the tendency to be messy, you know, so you have quite a bit of clearing up to do.
Ruth: Hmm, okay.
Alastair: So it's up to you. They're both good workers and they won't cheat you.
Ruth: Right. And you said you knew some plasterers.
Alastair: Yes. A company called Simonsen Plasterers did our living room last year. We chose them because we wanted some fancy work on the ceiling, around the lights.
Ruth: So they can do a variety of designs?
Alastair: You've got it. But it comes at a premium because they are more expensive, you know.
Ruth: Than the others?
Alastair: Yes. Or you could go for a one-man firm called HL Plastering. Harry Lester. He's fine, very reliable if all you want is a simple job.
Ruth: Do either of them do painting for you if you want, after the plastering's dried out, of course?
Alastair: That's what I was going to say, but I should explain that Harry's quite old now and so he avoids doing jobs which involve tall ladders, you know.
Ruth: But my kitchen isn't too bad for that. I'd have to ask him if he's prepared to do it.
Alastair: Yeah, sure.
Ruth: So I'll start by looking at the website.
Alastair: All those companies are on there with their phone numbers, etc.
Ruth: Thanks ever so much. You've been such a help.
Narrator: That is the end of section 1. You now have half a minute to check your answers.