BC Travel Company - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 12 Academic Listening Test 3 · Part 2 · Questions 11–20
Audio
Questions
Questions 11–12 Multiple Choice (Two Answers)
Choose TWO letters, A-E.
Questions 13–14 Multiple Choice (Two Answers)
Choose TWO letters, A-E.
Questions 15–17 Multiple Choice (One Answer)
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Questions 18–20 Table Completion
Complete the table below.
Write ONE WORD ONLY for each answer.
Fitness Holidays
| Location | Main focus | Other comments |
| Ireland and Italy | general fitness |
|
| Greece | 19 control |
|
| Morocco | Mountain biking |
|
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q11 | — | — | |
| Q12 | D / E | the over-65s are an important market, and one that’s increasing steadily year on year whereas there’s a noticeable growth in the number of holidays taken by the 55 to 64-year-olds |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript is talking about two groups of people taking more holidays with BC Travel each year. Answer Explanation: The answer is D (55-64 years) and E (over 65 years). Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is D and E because the excerpt mentions that the number of holidays taken by 55 to 64-year-olds is growing and the over-65s are an important market that is increasing steadily year on year. |
| Q13 | — | — | |
| Q14 | A / C | they do often take place outside the main tourist centres, which gives an opportunity for clients to find out more about the local people and customs but clients often say that more than this, it’s the chance to create lasting relationships with other like-minded people that’s the main draw. |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that activity holidays are popular because they happen in places that are not usually visited by tourists, which allows clients to learn about local people and culture. But it also says that the main reason is the chance to make friends with like-minded people. Answer Explanation: The answer is A (Clients make new friends) and C (Clients learn about a different culture). It means that two main reasons for the popularity of activity holidays are to make friends and to learn about local culture. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A and C because the excerpt says that clients like activity holidays because they can make friends with like-minded people (option A) and learn about local people and customs (option C). This matches the main reasons mentioned in the excerpt, so the answer is correct. |
| Q15 | C | We’ve got an excellent team of artists to lead the classes – some of them have been with us from the start, and five additional ones will be joining us this year | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript talks about a team of artists leading painting classes. It mentions that new teachers will be joining the team this year. Answer Explanation: The answer means that BC Travel plans to expand their painting holidays by hiring more teachers to join their team. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'C' because the excerpt specifically mentions that five additional teachers will be joining BC Travel to lead painting classes, which aligns with the idea of expanding the holiday painting program by employing more teachers. |
| Q16 | B | lot of agents offer holidays where clients cook recipes related to one particular country, usually the one they’re staying in, but we focus on dishes from a great many different ones | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript suggests that many holiday companies focus on cooking recipes from one specific country, while BC Travel offers a variety of dishes from different countries. Answer Explanation: The answer indicates that BC Travel's cooking holidays are unique because they involve dishes from many different countries, not just one. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'B' because the excerpt mentions that BC Travel's cooking holidays stand out because they focus on a wide range of dishes from various countries, rather than just one specific country like other holiday companies. |
| Q17 | A | clients can have one-on-one tuition during the holiday | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that clients can get personal teaching during the holiday, meaning they can learn one-on-one. Answer Explanation: The answer states that clients receive individual tuition, which means they get personalized instruction. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because 'individual tuition' matches the idea of 'one-on-one tuition' mentioned in the text, indicating that clients receive personalized teaching during the photography holidays. |
| Q18 | stress | clients find that they end up losing much of the stress they’ve built up in their daily lives. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that people who go on these holidays often feel much less stress from their everyday lives. Answer Explanation: The answer 'stress' refers to the feelings of worry or pressure that people have in their daily lives. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'stress' because the excerpt explains that during the fitness holidays, clients find they lose the stress that has built up, meaning these holidays help them feel better and less worried. |
| Q19 | weight | In Greece, we have a two-week holiday for clients who want to do something about their weight. | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that there is a special holiday in Greece for people who want to lose weight. Answer Explanation: The answer 'weight' means the amount a person weighs. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer 'weight' is right because the excerpt talks about a holiday for people who want to lose weight. The holiday in Greece focuses on helping people control their weight. |
| Q20 | families | We offer one which is tailored to the needs of families | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that there is a special holiday created just for groups who have moms, dads, kids. Answer Explanation: The answer means the type of group that has moms, dads, and kids together. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'families' because the excerpt says there is a holiday designed for 'families' which are groups of moms, dads, and kids. |
Transcript
In this session in your training day we’re going to look at home of the more specialised holidays we offer at BC Travel. Now, the travel business is very competitive and it’s important to be aware of how the market’s changing and developing. In terms of age groups, the over-65s are an important market, and one that’s increasing steadily year on year. The fewest holidays are taken by the 31 to 42-year-olds, and that figure shows no sign of rising. The biggest market at present is still the youngest group, the 16 to 30s, but this group’s also seen the biggest drop over the last few years, whereas there’s a noticeable growth in the number of holidays taken by the 55 to 64-year-olds. As far as the 43 to 54-year-olds are concerned, bookings there are steady, but I have to say we haven’t seen the increase we expected.
One trend we’re noticing with nearly all age groups is the growing popularity of holidays in which clients do some kind of specialised activity. I’m not talking here about adventure holidays, where clients take part in high-risk activities like white water rafting just for the thrill of it. Activity holidays usually involve rather less high-risk sports, or things like art and music. They’re not necessarily cheaper than ordinary holidays, often the opposite, in fact. But they do often take place outside the main tourist centres, which gives an opportunity for clients to find out more about the local people and customs, and many say this is one of the most positive features of these holidays. Of course, they offer the chance to develop a new skill or talent, but clients often say that more than this, it’s the chance to create lasting relationships with other like-minded people that’s the main draw.
Let me give you some examples of BC Travel activity holidays. Our painting holidays take place in four different centres in France and Italy and they’re very popular with clients of all abilities from beginners onwards. We’ve got an excellent team of artists to lead the classes – some of them have been with us from the start, and five additional ones will be joining us this year so that we can offer a greater number of classes in each centre.
As far as cooking holidays are concerned, I know a lot of agents offer holidays where clients cook recipes related to one particular country, usually the one they’re staying in, but we focus on dishes from a great many different ones. Apart from that you’ll find the usual emphasis on good quality, organic ingredients – that’s more or less a given nowadays – and there are generally some meat-free recipes included.
Our photography holidays take place in a wide range of countries from Iceland to Vietnam, and clients have the opportunity to see some stunning scenery. Groups are small, no more than eight, so clients can have one-on-one tuition during the holiday, and excursions are arranged with fully-trained guides. At the end of each holiday an exhibition is held of the photographs taken so that clients can see one another’s work and receive valuable feedback from the tutor.
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Finally, let me tell you about our fitness holidays. In Ireland and Italy we run one-week general fitness classes for all ages and levels of fitness. Clients start the course with a consultation with a trainer, and together they draw up an individual programme. As well as improving general fitness, clients find that they end up losing much of the stress they’ve built up in their daily lives.
In Greece, we have a two-week holiday for clients who want to do something about their weight. This has all the features you’d expect, like a personalised diet programme, but one of its most popular features is that the exercise classes are all held on the beach. People say it’s far preferable to being in a gym.
Finally, we offer several holidays in Morocco. One very popular one is the mountain biking holiday. Bikes are provided and there are different routes according to people’s ability. We offer one which is tailored to the needs of families, which is particularly popular.
OK, so that’s about all the time I have today, so thank you very much …