Budget Accommodation in Queenstown, New Zealand - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From IELTS Practice Test Plus 2 Academic Listening Test 4 · Part 1 · Questions 1–10
Audio
Questions
Questions 1–6 Table Completion
Complete the table below.
Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Budget accommodation in Queenstown, New Zealand
| Accommodation | Price (dormitory) | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Travellers' Lodge | Example
fully booked |
|
| Bingley's | US$ 1 |
|
| Chalet Lodge | US$ 18.00 |
|
| Globetrotters | US$ 18.50 |
|
Questions 7–10 Matching
Who wants to do each of the activities below?
Write the correct letter, A, B or C, next to Questions 7-10.
A. only Jacinta
B. only Lewis
C. both Jacinta and Lewis
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 19.75 | there's one place called Bingley's that looks possible. It's 19.75 dollars a night – that's US dollars, they quote all the prices in US dollars | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Jacinta looking at her computer and finding a place to stay called Bingley's. She says the price for one night is 19.75 US dollars. Answer Explanation: The answer 19.75 is the cost in US dollars for staying one night at the hostel called Bingley's. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 19.75 because Jacinta explicitly states this amount when discussing the first accommodation option on her list. She mentions that Bingley's costs 19.75 dollars a night and specifies that all prices are quoted in US dollars. The context confirms this is for a bed in a dormitory (specifically an 8-bed dorm). |
| Q2 | theme | And the hostel's right in the town centre and they've got a café they have theme nights every weekend, whatever that means |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that Bingley's is located in the middle of town, has a place to eat, and organizes special 'theme' events every weekend. Answer Explanation: The answer refers to 'theme' nights, which are special events with specific styles of food, music, or clothing. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'theme' because the transcript mentions that Bingley's has a cafe and holds 'theme nights every weekend.' In this context, 'theme nights' describes the regular events where people might dress up or eat specific types of food. |
| Q3 | quiet | There's one called Chalet Lodge which is just 18.00 US dollars – that's for a bed in a 12-bed dorm. They do single and family rooms as well. It looks as if it's a bit out of town says it's got an alpine setting a 'quiet' alpine setting |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Jacinta reading about the Chalet Lodge and stating that it is located in a mountain environment that is described as being quiet. Answer Explanation: The answer "quiet" describes a place that is peaceful and where there is very little noise. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "quiet" because when Jacinta describes Chalet Lodge, she looks at the details online and specifically mentions that it has a 'quiet' alpine setting (a mountain environment). The table asks for a word to describe the alpine setting, which matches her description perfectly. |
| Q4 | children | Oh, and it says it's 'children friendly' | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explicitly mentions that the lodge accepts and is suitable for young family members. Answer Explanation: The answer 'children' means that young kids are allowed and welcome to stay at the Chalet Lodge hostel. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'children' because Jacinta reads a description of the Chalet Lodge saying it is 'children friendly'. In English, words like 'friendly' or 'welcome' are used to show that a place is a good fit for a certain group of people, such as kids. |
| Q5 | breakfast | Jacinta: Aah. That's called Globetrotters – let's see, they do private rooms, or 5-bed dorms for 18.50 – it's in the centre, just by the lake and that includes breakfast |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that for the Globetrotters accommodation, the 18.50 price covers the room and the morning meal. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the morning meal is part of the price you pay for the room. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is identified because Jacinta explicitly mentions that the price for the "Globetrotters" hostel "includes breakfast." This is a key detail she uses to compare this accommodation to the others, noting that the previous options likely do not provide it. |
| Q6 | free sky-dive / sky-dive / free skydive / skydive | Oh, actually what it says is you can win a chance to do a skydive – they give one away every day to one of the guests | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that people staying at the hostel can enter a contest to win a ticket for a skydive. This means they might get to jump from a plane for free. Answer Explanation: The answer means guests can win a 'skydive,' which is an extreme sport where a person jumps from an airplane using a parachute. It is called a 'free skydive' because the winner does not have to pay for it. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'skydive' (or 'free skydive') because Jacinta explains a special reward offered at the Globetrotters hostel. She mentions that by staying there, guests have the 'chance to win' an opportunity to jump out of an airplane. The transcript specifically identifies 'skydive' as the activity that they give away for free to one guest every day. |
| Q7 | A | Jacinta: I was looking at what there is to do, too there are lots of sites offering deals for adventure sports – ah, I suppose we have to do a bungee jump. Lewis: Why? Jacinta: Well, it's Queenstown where they more or less started it as a sport. Lewis: You can if you really want to jump off the side of a bridge with an elastic rope tied round your ankles. I'll watch! Jacinta: OK |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Jacinta bringing up the idea of a bungee jump. Lewis says she can go ahead if she wants to, but he says he will only watch her do it. Answer Explanation: The answer means that only Jacinta wants to do the bungee jump. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because Jacinta suggests that they should do a bungee jump. Lewis clearly shows he does not want to do it when he says he will only watch while Jacinta jumps. Since Jacinta wants to do it and Lewis does not, only Jacinta is interested. |
| Q8 | C | As far as adventure sports go? I was talking to someone who went white-water rafting there – he said it was really awesome. They drive you up the Shotover River and then you come down on a rubber raft through the white-water rapids, where the river's really narrow and fast, and end up going through a tunnel nearly 200 metres long. I think it's quite expensive, though. Jacinta: Oh, I'm on for that if you are. Lewis: Cool | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Lewis sharing a great story about someone who liked rafting. Jacinta hears this and says she will do it if Lewis does. Lewis agrees, so both of them want to go. Answer Explanation: The answer C means that both Jacinta and Lewis want to do the white-water rafting activity. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because Lewis starts by talking about how his friend said white-water rafting was "awesome" (very good). Jacinta then says she is "on for that," which is a common way to say she wants to participate or join in. Lewis finishes by saying "Cool!" to show they are both in agreement to do it. |
| Q9 | B | My friend did that as well – he said it was a bit touristy but worth it, I'll give it a go. You go right up the river canyon. He said the drivers were really skilful. But I don't mind going on my own | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Lewis deciding to try the activity when he says 'I'll give it a go.' He also says he does not mind going 'on my own,' which confirms that he is the only one of the two who wants to do it. Answer Explanation: The answer means that only Lewis wants to go on the fast boat trip called the jet-boat ride. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because Lewis expresses his willingness to try the jet-boat ride by saying he will 'give it a go.' He also mentions that he is okay with going 'on my own,' which means he will go alone, because Jacinta is not interested. Jacinta says the activity sounds like 'a lot of noise,' making it clear that she does not want to join him. |
| Q10 | C | we ought to do some trekking. The scenery round there's amazing, I don't want to miss that. The place to start's Glenorchy, apparently – about 40 minutes' drive, that's where lots of the wilderness trails begin. Lewis: OK, I'll pack my walking boots | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Jacinta suggesting that they go on a trek to see the beautiful landscape. Lewis agrees with her plan and says he will get his walking shoes ready. Answer Explanation: The answer C means that both Jacinta and Lewis want to go trekking on the wilderness trails together. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because both people express interest in this activity. Jacinta suggests trekking as a way to enjoy the scenery and mentions the 'wilderness trails,' and Lewis agrees by saying he will pack his 'walking boots.' |
Transcript
Jacinta: Hi, Lewis – it's Jacinta here.
Lewis: Oh, hi, Jacinta. I was just going to call you. I was thinking we ought to do something about accommodation for our trip to Queenstown.
Jacinta: Yeah, actually that's just why I rang you. I've been looking on the Internet – there was one place that looked OK called Travellers' Lodge, but when I checked availability for January when we're planning to go I found it was fully booked.
Lewis: Right – well, we'd better do something now I suppose.
Jacinta: I've actually got a list up here on the computer – there's one place called Bingley's that looks possible. It's 19.75 dollars a night – that's US dollars, they quote all the prices in US dollars.
Lewis: So that's about 26 or 27 New Zealand dollars. That's OK. That'll be in a dormitory, is it?
Jacinta: Yeah – they say 8-bed dorms. And the hostel's right in the town centre and they've got a café ... they have theme nights every weekend, whatever that means ...
Lewis: Oh, you know, like certain sorts of food and music ... and people might wear special clothes like that Egyptian evening we went to last year.
Jacinta: Oh, OK. What else ... they've got a sundeck area, and then all the usual things – Internet access and so on.
Lewis: Sounds good. Was there anywhere else?
Jacinta: Yeah, a couple more places. There's one called Chalet Lodge which is just 18.00 US dollars – that's for a bed in a 12-bed dorm. They do single and family rooms as well. It looks as if it's a bit out of town ... says it's got an alpine setting ... a 'quiet' alpine setting. What do you think?
Lewis: Mmm, not sure ...
Jacinta: Oh, but actually it's not far out at all ... it says 10 minutes' walk from town, so ... Oh, and it says it's 'children friendly'.
Lewis: Mmm. I'm not so sure about that. What about the third place?
Jacinta: Aah. That's called Globetrotters – let's see, they do private rooms, or 5-bed dorms for 18.50 – it's in the centre, just by the lake ... and that includes breakfast.
Lewis: Didn't the other two?
Jacinta: I don't think so. They didn't mention it, so probably not. Oh, and it says something about a free skydive ... wow!
Lewis: Don't know if I'm all that keen on jumping out of aeroplanes ...
Jacinta: Oh, actually what it says is you can win a chance to do a skydive – they give one away every day to one of the guests.
Lewis: Well, if I win it, you can do it ... Anyway, do they have room?
Jacinta: Yeah, I checked the availability. Shall I go ahead and book there then?
Lewis: Fine.
Jacinta: I was looking at what there is to do, too ... there are lots of sites offering deals for adventure sports – ah, I suppose we have to do a bungee jump.
Lewis: Why?
Jacinta: Well, it's Queenstown where they more or less started it as a sport.
Lewis: You can ... if you really want to jump off the side of a bridge with an elastic rope tied round your ankles. I'll watch!
Jacinta: OK. So what do you want to do?
Lewis: As far as adventure sports go? I was talking to someone who went white-water rafting there – he said it was really awesome. They drive you up the Shotover River and then you come down on a rubber raft through the white-water rapids, where the river's really narrow and fast, and end up going through a tunnel nearly 200 metres long. I think it's quite expensive, though.
Jacinta: Oh, I'm on for that if you are.
Lewis: Cool!
Jacinta: The other thing you can do is the jet-boat ride ... that sounded just a lot of noise though. It's basically just whizzing round on the river on a very fast boat, isn't it?
Lewis: My friend did that as well – he said it was a bit touristy but worth it, I'll give it a go. You go right up the river canyon. He said the drivers were really skilful. But I don't mind going on my own.
Jacinta: But there's lots to do as well as the whole commercial adventure bit ... we ought to do some trekking. The scenery round there's amazing, I don't want to miss that. The place to start's Glenorchy, apparently – about 40 minutes' drive, that's where lots of the wilderness trails begin.
Lewis: OK, I'll pack my walking boots. I'd better start getting in training ... I haven't done anything except sit at my desk for months. Now, is there anything else we need to decide?