Catering For An Event - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Collins Practice Tests For IELTS 3 Academic Listening Test 4 · Part 1 · Questions 1–10
Audio
Questions
Questions 1–3 Multiple Choice (One Answer)
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Questions 4–10 Form Completion
Complete the form below.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Corporate Catering Order Form
Date of event: 4
Delivery time: 5
Number of people: 6
| Standard Buffet
Sandwiches Crisps Hot and cold drinks Cost: £7 |
Premium Buffet
Sandwiches Crisps Salad bowl Fruit Cakes Hot and cold drinks Cost: £5.50 |
Dietary requirements: 1 person requires 8 food.
Contact person: Carol 9
Telephone number: 455 2298, Extension 10
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | C | We could use the main meeting room, I suppose. That would give them the chance to get outside the training room for a little while. As long as they don't go back to the office during lunch. I'd like them to mix and chat about the training. And there's more room for a large table there. Yes, let's do that | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that Natalie picks the main meeting room as the place for the food. She says this is a good choice because it lets the workers leave the training room for a break. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the food for the event will be put in a different room rather than the one used for the training session. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because Natalie chooses to have the food in the 'main meeting room' instead of the 'training room.' She explains that this decision allows the staff to 'get outside the training room' for a short time. While she initially thought about keeping the food in the training room for convenience, she decided against it to prevent people from snacking too early and to encourage them to talk to each other in a different space. |
| Q2 | C | We haven't got the budget for two lots of food, though, so Finance agreed to settle for lunch | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that the company does not have enough money to provide more than one meal, so they decided to only buy lunch for the event. Answer Explanation: The answer means the company decided to only provide lunch because they don't have enough money to pay for both breakfast and lunch. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because Natalie mentions that they do not have the 'budget' for more than one meal. In business, a 'budget' is the specific amount of money a group is allowed to spend. Since the money was limited, the Finance department decided to pay for lunch only instead of buying both breakfast and lunch. |
| Q3 | C | Oh, and we need to feed the trainer as well I know he wanted to come but I don't think he'll be able to join us. His secretary just told me he has an important meeting that morning |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says they must give food to the trainer. It also says the manager cannot come because he is busy, and his secretary was the one who told Natalie this information. Answer Explanation: The answer is the trainer. This person is coming to teach the team and will eat the lunch provided for the group. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is the trainer because Natalie specifically includes this person in the list of people who need food. While the manager wanted to attend, Natalie explains that he cannot join because of a meeting scheduled at the same time. The secretary is mentioned only as the source of information about the manager's schedule, not as an attendee. Key phrases to watch for include 'feed' (which refers to giving food) and 'not be able to join' (meaning not attending). |
| Q4 | 13th November / 13 November / November 13th / November 13 / 13th of November | We usually run training days during the first week of October but this year that proved difficult to timetable so we had to move it to the 13th of November | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that the team typically holds their training in October, but because they could not find a good time, they chose November 13th instead. Answer Explanation: The answer is the calendar date for the catering order, which is the 13th of November. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 13th November because Natalie explains that although they usually have these events in October, they had to change the date this year due to scheduling problems. She clearly states the new date for the event is the 13th of November. |
| Q5 | 8 / 8 a.m. / 8 am / eight | The first session begins at nine so let's ask for eight. That'll give me time to sort it out before the trainer arrives at half past eight | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the meeting starts at 9:00, so they will ask for the food at 8:00. This gives Natalie time to organize everything before the teacher (trainer) gets there at 8:30. Answer Explanation: The answer is 8:00 AM, which is the time Natalie wants the food to arrive. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 8:00 AM because Natalie suggests they ask for the delivery at eight. She wants the food to arrive early so she has enough time to prepare before the trainer arrives at 8:30 and the first session starts at 9:00. |
| Q6 | 15 / fifteen | Natalie: There'll be 15 altogether | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Natalie answering Matti's question about how many people will need food by giving the final total: 15. Answer Explanation: The answer is the total number of people who will be eating at the training event. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 15 because Natalie explicitly states that there will be 15 people in total for the buffet. This number includes the sales team, the three office staff members, and the trainer. |
| Q7 | 3.25 | There's the Standard Buffet package. That's £3.25 per person | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Matti telling Natalie that the basic food deal, called the Standard Buffet, costs 3.25 pounds for every individual attending. Answer Explanation: The answer is the price of the basic food option, which is 3.25 British pounds for each person. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is found when Matti describes the different catering options. He specifically mentions the 'Standard Buffet package' and says it costs '£3.25 per person'. This matches the 'Cost' field under the 'Standard Buffet' section of the catering order form. |
| Q8 | dairy-free / dairy free | There's one person who has to have dairy free food, though, and no one's said anything about allergies | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript specifically mentions that one person attending the training needs food without dairy, which matches the information needed for the order form. Answer Explanation: The answer refers to food that does not contain milk or products made from milk, such as cheese or butter. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is identified when Natalie explains the dietary needs of the people attending the event. She notes that while there are no vegetarians, one individual requires food that is "dairy free." |
| Q9 | Beecham | It's Carol Beecham. B-E-E-C-H-A-M | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Natalie providing the contact person's full name and carefully spelling the last name for Matti to fill out the form. Answer Explanation: The answer is the last name of the woman who will be the main contact for the catering company. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is Beecham because, when Matti asks who should be the contact person for the caterers, Natalie names Carol in the Finance department. She clearly states her full name and spells out the surname so there is no confusion. |
| Q10 | 523 | Natalie: It's our number, 455 2298, Extension 523 | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Natalie giving the phone number and the extra numbers (the extension) for the contact person. Answer Explanation: The answer is the specific three-digit code used to reach a certain person within a company's phone system. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 523 because Natalie gives Matti the phone details for Carol in Finance. She mentions the main office phone number and then clearly states the specific extension number needed to reach Carol. An extension is a shorter set of numbers you dial after the main number to talk to a specific person in an office. |
Transcript
Natalie: Thanks for agreeing to help out, Matti. It'll be much quicker with two of us. These training days take such a lot of organising. There are so many things to think about and you know how stressed I get when things don't go according to plan. If we can sort out the catering now, it'll be one less thing to think about.
Matti: No problem. I'm happy to help. I know what a nightmare these events can be. Where will everybody be eating?
Natalie: At first, I thought about having the food in the training room itself. That would be the least amount of trouble for everyone. Trouble is, it'd have to be hidden from them or they'll start snacking as soon as they arrive. We could use the main meeting room, I suppose. That would give them the chance to get outside the training room for a little while. As long as they don't go back to the office during lunch. I'd like them to mix and chat about the training. And there's more room for a large table there. Yes, let's do that.
Matti: Yes, I think that'll work. When do you want the food for: breakfast, lunch or both?
Natalie: I thought if d be nice to start the day with breakfast so they can eat before they start and it would give people a chance to chat before the training gets underway. We haven't got the budget for two lots of food, though, so Finance agreed to settle for lunch. We can supply teas and coffees ourselves in the morning when they arrive and again at about half past ten.
Matti: Yes, that's a good idea. Maybe we could serve some biscuits too. So, who's attending the event? Who do we need to include?
Natalie: It'll be all the sales team, of course. Then there's the office staff, three of them. Oh, and we need to feed the trainer as well.
Matti: What about the manager? Is he going to be there?
Natalie: I know he wanted to come but I don't think he'll be able to join us. His secretary just told me he has an important meeting that morning.
Matti: OK. I've printed the order form off. Let's fill it in now and I can transfer the information online later. What's the date of the event?
Natalie: We usually run training days during the first week of October but this year that proved difficult to timetable so we had to move it to the 13th of November. That's two weeks from today.
Matti: And what time do we want the food delivered?
Natalie: As early as possible, really. I don't want it arriving after we've started. The first session begins at nine so let's ask for eight. That'll give me time to sort it out before the trainer arrives at half past eight.
Matti: So, how many people will we need the buffet for? The caterers will only deliver for a minimum of 10 people.
Natalie: There'll be 15 altogether.
Matti: Right. Now we have some options here, depending on how much we have to spend. There's the Standard Buffet package. That's £3.25 per person. All you get for that are sandwiches, crisps, hot and cold drinks. If I remember correctly, there were complaints from staff the last time we had a training event. Do you remember? They weren't happy with the sandwiches on offer – or something like that.
Natalie: Yes, I vaguely remember. Well, what else do they offer?
Matti: There's the Premium package. That's £5.50 per person and you get some additional snacks. There's a salad bowl and something for dessert, like fruit and cakes. I reckon it'll be more appreciated by staff than the first option, don't you?
Natalie: Well, that's an easy one. We've got a budget of £6 per person so let's go for the Premium package.
Matti: Do we know if there's anything anyone can't eat? Any vegetarians or vegans, for example? Or people with allergies?
Natalie: I've emailed everyone who's attending. You'd think there'd be one or two vegetarians, but no. They're all meat eaters. There's one person who has to have dairy free food, though, and no one's said anything about allergies.
Matti: Right. That's about it. The caterers need a contact person. I'll put you down, shall I?
Natalie: No, not me. Put down Carol in Finance. She asked to be the contact person as she'll be sorting out payment. It's Carol Beecham. B-E-E-C-H-A-M.
Matti: And what's her telephone number in Finance?
Natalie: It's our number, 455 2298, Extension 523.
Matti: That's done. One less job for you to worry about. I'll get back on their website and fill in these details.
Natalie: Thanks, Matti! I owe you one!