Booking A Coach Ticket - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Collins Practice Tests For IELTS 2 Academic Listening Test 1 · Part 1 · Questions 1–10
Audio
Questions
Questions 1–3 Multiple Choice (One Answer)
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Questions 4–7 Note Completion
Complete the notes below.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS or A NUMBER for each answer.
Kieren Coaches
| Name: | Matthew 4 |
| Address: | 34 5 |
| Telephone: | 01732 6 |
| Email: | matt 7 @yahoo.co.uk |
Questions 8–10 Multiple Choice (One Answer)
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | A | Agent: Um, well, there's one leaving at 1.00. That arrives at Victoria Station at 4.10, if that's any good. Traffic is usually quite light at the weekend and the drivers tend to make good time, so I think you'd certainly be there for 4.30. Customer: OK, that sounds just right. I think I'll take that. I can always phone ahead if I'm going to be late | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the travel agent offering a bus that leaves at 1.00 and the customer saying he likes that time and will buy that ticket. Answer Explanation: The answer A means the man's bus will leave at 1.00 p.m. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the agent suggests the bus leaving at 1.00 p.m. Since this bus arrives at 4.10 p.m., it is the best choice for the man, who needs to be at the station by 4.30 p.m. The man agrees to this time by saying he will "take that." In this context, "leaving" is a synonym for "departs." |
| Q2 | A | Actually, I'm not sure when I'll be coming back, so I won't book a return ticket, just one way | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that the customer chooses to buy only a "one way" ticket (a single ticket) because he does not know his return plans yet. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the customer wants to buy a ticket for a trip to London only, without buying a ticket to come back. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the traveler says he wants a "one way" ticket. In the world of travel, a "one way" ticket is also called a "single ticket." He does not want a "return ticket" because he might get a ride home from a friend or family member (getting a "lift"). He also rejects the offer for an "open return" ticket, which allows a person to choose their return date later, because he does not want to pay for a return trip he might not use. |
| Q3 | B | Just the one ticket, please. I'm going down to visit my daughter at university. My son's meeting me at the station, so it's a proper family reunion | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the customer explaining that he is going to see his daughter at her university and that his son will also be there to meet him. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the man's reason for traveling to London is to visit his daughter. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the man clearly states his reason for travel while booking the ticket. He says he is going to 'visit' his daughter, who is a student at a 'university' in London. He also mentions meeting his son there for a 'family reunion.' Option A is incorrect because he does not mention a 'party,' and option C is incorrect because he is meeting his son, not a business meeting. |
| Q4 | Upton | Customer: Yes, it's Matthew Upton, that's U-P-T-O-N | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the customer giving his full name and spelling his last name clearly for the agent. Answer Explanation: The answer Upton is the family name of the person booking the bus ticket. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is Upton because when the travel agent asks for the customer's name, he says 'Matthew Upton' and explains how to spell the last name letter by letter. This confirms that 'Upton' is the specific name needed to complete the form. |
| Q5 | Allesley Road | Customer: 34 Allesley Road. Allesley, that's A-double L-E-S-L-E-Y | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the customer telling the agent his house number is 34 and the name of the street is Allesley Road. Answer Explanation: The answer "Allesley Road" is the name of the street that comes after the number 34 in the customer's home address. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "Allesley Road" because the agent asks the customer for his address, and the customer says "34 Allesley Road." By matching the number "34" already in the notes, we can identify that "Allesley Road" is the missing part of the address. |
| Q6 | 558997 | Customer: 01732 558997 | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the customer saying his complete phone number, which starts with the digits already provided in the notes. Answer Explanation: The answer is the six-digit number 558997, which is the final part of the caller's phone number. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 558997 because the agent asks for a phone number, and this is the specific number provided by the customer. Since the first part of the number (01732) is already written in the form, you only need to write the remaining digits mentioned in the conversation. Keywords to listen for are 'telephone number' and the start of the digits. |
| Q7 | 257 | Customer: matt257@yahoo.co.uk | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the customer telling the agent his personal email address so they can send him a message about his trip. Answer Explanation: The answer is the number 257, which is the missing part of the man's email address. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 257 because when the agent asks for an email address to send travel details, the customer says 'matt257@yahoo.co.uk'. The note already has 'matt' and '@yahoo.co.uk', so only the number 257 is needed to complete it. |
| Q8 | C | We offer a very good luggage allowance. You can take two suitcases as long as they're no more than 20 kilos each; that's 40 kilos in total, and one small item of hand luggage on the coach | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that the bus company allows passengers to bring two large bags (up to 20 kilograms each, or 40 kilograms in total) plus one small item for free as part of their standard ticket price. Answer Explanation: The answer means that people traveling on the bus can bring bags weighing up to 40 kilograms without paying extra money, besides their small hand bag. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the bus agent describes a "luggage allowance," which is the amount of baggage you are permitted to bring for free. He explains that a person can bring two suitcases that weigh 20 kilos each, which equals a total of 40 kilos. You only have to pay £10 if you bring more bags than this allowed amount. |
| Q9 | B | Would you like travel insurance included with your ticket? It's an additional £2.00 | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the agent asking the customer if they want to add insurance to their ticket for two pounds more. Answer Explanation: The answer means that travel insurance requires paying more money on top of the ticket price. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the travel agent uses the word 'additional' when talking about the insurance price. In English, 'additional' is a synonym for 'extra.' This means the insurance is not included in the standard price of £23.50. The agent also confirms it is 'not compulsory,' meaning you are not forced to buy it, which makes choice C incorrect. |
| Q10 | B | Actually, I've been having trouble with my debit card today and I've left my cheque book at home, so I'd better pay in cash. You'll give me a receipt, won't you | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the customer explaining that because his card is not working and his checkbook is at home, he will pay for the booking using cash. Answer Explanation: The answer means the man will use bills and coins to pay for his travel. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the customer explains that he cannot use his bank card (debit card) and he does not have his book for writing checks (cheque book) with him. Because of these reasons, he decides to use physical money, saying he will 'pay in cash'. |
Transcript
Customer: Good morning. I'd like to book a coach to London. I was hoping you had something available this Saturday afternoon.
Agent: Good morning, sir. Take a seat and I'll just check for you. Er, yes, we still have several free seats for Saturday. Where will you be leaving from? There are three pick-up points in town: Main Street, Centenary Square or the Central Bus Station.
Customer: From Centenary Square, please. That's easier for me to get to than the bus station.
Agent: And what time would you like to leave? There are coaches on the hour, every hour, from 12.00 through till 6.00 p.m.
Customer: Well, I'm meeting someone at the station in London and I need to be there for 4.30, so which one would you recommend?
Agent: Um, well, there's one leaving at 1.00. That arrives at Victoria Station at 4.10, if that's any good. Traffic is usually quite light at the weekend and the drivers tend to make good time, so I think you'd certainly be there for 4.30.
Customer: OK, that sounds just right. I think I'll take that. I can always phone ahead if I'm going to be late.
Agent: And when are you returning, sir?
Customer: Actually, I'm not sure when I'll be coming back, so I won't book a return ticket, just one way.
Agent: I can always book you an open return if you'd like. You can use this at any time within the next month as long as you contact us first to reserve a seat.
Customer: Well, there's a chance I might be getting a lift back, you see, so I'll just pay for one way. I don't want to buy a return if I don't need it.
Agent: OK, no problem. Are you travelling alone?
Customer: Just the one ticket, please. I'm going down to visit my daughter at university. My son's meeting me at the station, so it's a proper family reunion.
Agent: Very nice! OK. Well, I can book that for you if you like, sir. That'll be £23.50. Now, I just need to take down some details. Can I have your name, please?
Customer: Yes, it's Matthew Upton, that's U-P-T-O-N.
Agent: And your address?
Customer: 34 Allesley Road. Allesley, that's A-double L-E-S-L-E-Y.
Agent: And your telephone number?
Customer: 01732 558997.
Agent: And your email address. We'll use this to send confirmation of your travel details.
Customer: matt257@yahoo.co.uk.
Agent: OK, thanks.
Customer: Before I forget, I'll be taking a little luggage. Is there a set luggage allowance?
Agent: We offer a very good luggage allowance. You can take two suitcases as long as they're no more than 20 kilos each; that's 40 kilos in total, and one small item of hand luggage on the coach. Most people find that more than adequate. Any additional items carry an extra charge of £10 for each bag.
Customer: I certainly won't be taking that much, so I should be OK. I was worried I might be taking too much.
Agent: Would you like travel insurance included with your ticket? It's an additional £2.00.
Customer: No, I don't think so.
Agent: No problem, it's not compulsory. OK, how will you be paying?
Customer: Actually, I've been having trouble with my debit card today and I've left my cheque book at home, so I'd better pay in cash. You'll give me a receipt, won't you?
Agent: Certainly, and we'll send confirmation to your email address as well. So, that's £23.50, sir. If you just wait a minute, I'll print you off a receipt.