Arrangement for a Weekend’s Event - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Official Cambridge Guide to IELTS Academic Listening Test 3 · Part 2 · Questions 11–20
Audio
Questions
Questions 11–14 Multiple Choice (One Answer)
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Questions 15–17 Matching
Who will be responsible for the following jobs as the guests arrive?
Choose THREE answers from the box and write the correct letter, A–E, next to Questions 15–17.
A. Susan
B. Ahmed
C. Gary
D. Olav
E. Monica
Questions 18–20 Sentence Completion
Complete the sentences below.
Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.
- General instructions
In order to get the guests to move to the restaurant the hotel manager will 18 .
- Seating plans will be placed on each table and also in the 19 .
- There will be a total of three 20 .
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q11 | C | And now we have only three days to prepare for the birthday party this weekend | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript tells us that the workers have a few days to get ready for a birthday party. This means the birthday party is the next event on their schedule. Answer Explanation: The answer is the party because that is the event the hotel is getting ready to host very soon. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is the party because the manager talks about different events. A wedding and a trade fair already happened in the past. The manager then says they have three days to 'prepare for' a birthday party that will happen soon. 'Prepare for' means getting ready for something that has not happened yet. |
| Q12 | B | though we usually only cater for groups of less than fifty, we will have quite a few more than that. So – as I said – not sure of numbers but of course we won't go over the maximum of 100 | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the hotel normally serves groups smaller than 50, but this specific party will have more than 50 guests. However, it also promises that the number will definitely not be higher than 100. Answer Explanation: The answer B means that the party will have more than 50 people but no more than 100 people. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the speaker says two important things about the amount of guests. First, there will be more people than their usual groups of less than fifty. Second, they will not have more than their highest limit of one hundred. This means the total must be between 50 and 100. |
| Q13 | A | Well the invitation says guests should arrive between 7.30 and 7.45 but our experience is that there are always a few who like to arrive early so we'll expect the first people at 7.15 | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that while the official invitation times are 7:30 and 7:45, the staff expects the arrival to start at 7:15 because guests often arrive early. Answer Explanation: The answer is 7:15 p.m. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the speaker explains that even though the invitation lists later times, experience shows that some people come early. Therefore, they expect guests to begin reaching the hotel at 7:15. |
| Q14 | B | Now, for this, we were expecting a live band for the occasion which is always fun, but apparently this has been cancelled due to illness. So – the hosts know someone who is a comedian who will be replacing the band. We had hoped that the resident magician who worked here through the summer would be able to help out but they weren't keen on that idea | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that although they first wanted a music group (live band), it cannot happen. Instead, a funny person (comedian) will perform. It also notes that they thought about a magic performer (magician), but that plan did not work out. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'comedian', which means a person who tells jokes to make people laugh will perform at the party. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the transcript mentions that the live band was canceled due to illness and will be replaced by a comedian. While a magician was suggested as another option, it mentions that the hosts or the staff were not happy with that idea. Therefore, the comedian is the final choice for the event's entertainment. |
| Q15 | C | If I remember correctly, it was Olav who co-ordinated the task of providing the guests with drinks or was it Ahmed? (checking) Um, I'm not sure – but Gary asked to do it this time – so that will be his job | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that the manager was thinking about who gave out drinks in the past, but then states that Gary asked to take over this specific duty for the upcoming party. Answer Explanation: The answer is Gary, because he is the person assigned to give drinks to the guests when they arrive at the party. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is Gary because the speaker mentions that while there was some confusion about who did it last time (either Olav or Ahmed), Gary specifically asked to be the one to provide drinks for this event. The manager confirms this by saying, "that will be his job." |
| Q16 | E | Now – for receiving the guests' coats and hats, it's important we have someone experienced doing this as we don't want guests losing their belongings. And Monica, last time this was your responsibility. Susan, I know you wanted to do this but as the numbers are quite high for this event I won't make a change here | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that Monica has done this job in the past. Even though another staff member named Susan wanted the job, the manager decides Monica will do it again to make sure everything goes well. Answer Explanation: The answer is Monica, the staff member who will be in charge of collecting the guests' outerwear (coats and hats) when they arrive. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is E because the speaker notes that taking care of guests' belongings requires someone with experience. Monica held this responsibility in the past. Although Susan expressed interest in the job, the manager decides not to make a change for this particular event because the number of guests is high, meaning Monica will keep the same job she had before. |
| Q17 | A | So Ahmed and Olav – I believe you discussed the problems with Susan and thought she would be good at guiding guests after they had arrived – and I'm fine with that | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that two employees, Ahmed and Olav, talked about the confusion from the last event and decided that Susan would be the best choice to show guests where to go. The manager accepts their suggestion. Answer Explanation: The answer is Susan, which means she is the person assigned to lead the guests to the correct area after they get to the hotel. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the transcript mentions that there was a problem at the last party where guests did not know where to go. To fix this, Ahmed and Olav suggested that Susan should be the person in charge of 'guiding guests' (which means showing them where to go). The manager agrees to this plan by saying, 'I’m fine with that,' confirming Susan has the job. |
| Q18 | ring a bell | This often proves difficult and can take a long time so I will ring a bell so that everyone knows it's time to eat | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that because getting people to move into the dining room is hard and slow, the manager will ring a bell to notify the guests that it is time for the meal. Answer Explanation: The answer means the manager will make a sound with a bell to tell the guests it is time to go to the dining room. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is correct because the manager mentions that moving the guests into the restaurant for dinner can take a long time. To make this happen faster, the manager decides to ring a bell so that everyone hears the signal and knows the meal is starting. |
| Q19 | lounge | There'll be a plan on each table and I've been thinking about where to put the master plan so everyone can view it before they enter the restaurant. As they'll be spending quite a while in the lounge, I've decided to also put a plan there | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that the manager decided to put a seating plan in the lounge because guests will be there for a long time before the meal, allowing them to see where they are sitting before entering the restaurant. Answer Explanation: The answer "lounge" refers to the specific room or common area in the hotel where guests wait and relax before they are called into the dining area. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "lounge" because the hotel manager explains that seating plans will be displayed in two places: on the dinner tables and in the lounge area. Since the guests will spend a significant amount of time in the lounge before the meal, placing the "master plan" (a map of the seating) there will help them find their seats more quickly when it is time to move to the restaurant. |
| Q20 | speeches / speakers | The organiser of the event will be saying a few words and so will two of his colleagues. So when the speeches start all activity must stop in the restaurant so that the three people giving them can be heard | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that one person (the organiser) and two additional people (colleagues) will speak, and it refers to these talks as "speeches" being given by "three people." Answer Explanation: The answer means there will be three separate times when people talk to the group, or three people who will give a talk during the party. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is found in the section where the manager explains what happens during the meal. He says the person who organized the event (the organiser) and two other people who work with him (colleagues) will talk to the guests. Since 1 plus 2 equals 3, there are a total of three people talking (speakers) or three talks (speeches). |
Transcript
Good morning everyone. I hope you're all feeling OK after the activities of the last week or so. I know you've all been working very hard recently and we've been exceptionally busy, especially with the wedding last weekend and the trade fair straight after that. And now we have only three days to prepare for the birthday party this weekend. The events recently have gone extremely well and the hotel is beginning to get a very good reputation, so we need to keep it up. At the moment, we don't have exact numbers of guests and though we usually only cater for groups of less than fifty, we will have quite a few more than that. So – as I said – not sure of numbers but of course we won't go over the maximum of 100. But it's likely that we will need all of you to work this weekend so if any of you can't, please let me know as soon as possible.
Right – so what time will the event start? Well the invitation says guests should arrive between 7.30 and 7.45 but our experience is that there are always a few who like to arrive early so we'll expect the first people at 7.15. As the numbers are quite large, this will certainly be the case. Food will be served at around 8.30 and then, depending on how long the meal takes, the entertainment will start about two hours later. Now, for this, we were expecting a live band for the occasion which is always fun, but apparently this has been cancelled due to illness. So – the hosts know someone who is a comedian who will be replacing the band. We had hoped that the resident magician who worked here through the summer would be able to help out but they weren't keen on that idea.
[pause]
So I'd just like to go through who's doing what when the guests arrive and I think we'll make a few changes from the last party held here. If I remember correctly, it was Olav who co-ordinated the task of providing the guests with drinks or was it Ahmed? (checking) Um, I'm not sure – but Gary asked to do it this time – so that will be his job. There's been no decision yet on what the drinks are going to be but I hope they decide soon in case we need to order something special. Now – for receiving the guests' coats and hats, it's important we have someone experienced doing this as we don't want guests losing their belongings. And Monica, last time this was your responsibility. Susan, I know you wanted to do this but as the numbers are quite high for this event I won't make a change here. Right – now last time there was some confusion as to where guests were supposed to go once they had deposited their things and we had guests roaming around the whole hotel. So Ahmed and Olav – I believe you discussed the problems with Susan and thought she would be good at guiding guests after they had arrived – and I'm fine with that.
Right – and now for some general instructions. Once the guests have arrived they will be in and around the lounge area and then at around 8.30 we need to get them to move to the restaurant for their meal. This often proves difficult and can take a long time so I will ring a bell so that everyone knows it's time to eat! Hopefully this will speed things up a bit. Also – for this event there'll be a seating plan, so the guests won't be able to decide for themselves where to sit – they'll have to sit according to the plan. There'll be a plan on each table and I've been thinking about where to put the master plan so everyone can view it before they enter the restaurant. As they'll be spending quite a while in the lounge, I've decided to also put a plan there. This should speed up the start of the meal.
Once the meal starts, you'll all be very busy waiting on the tables and I'm sure I don't need to tell you to be good-humoured and polite to all the guests. The organiser of the event will be saying a few words and so will two of his colleagues. So when the speeches start all activity must stop in the restaurant so that the three people giving them can be heard. This shouldn't take long – and it should be towards the end of the meal. After that, the guests will move back to the lounge for the entertainment.
So – I think that's it. Any questions – come and see me later.