Dental Service & Insurance - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Collins Practice Tests For IELTS 2 Academic Listening Test 3 · Part 1 · Questions 1–10
Audio
Questions
Questions 1–3 Multiple Choice (One Answer)
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Questions 4–6 Note Completion
Complete the notes below.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS or A NUMBER for each answer.
Costs of treatment
| Fillings | £55 |
| Extractions | £90 |
| X-rays | £4 |
We require 5 hours notice of a cancellation, otherwise a fee of £10 is charged.
Cheques should be made payable to 6 Dental Surgeons.
Questions 7–10 Note Completion
Complete the notes below.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS for each answer.
Dental Insurance
We cover up to £650 worth of treatment every 7.
Get big discounts on insurance cover for the whole 8.
You can pay 9 and no interest is charged.
Cover begins immediately your 10 starts.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | C | I've got a couple of free slots next week on the 16th. That's the Wednesday. Monday and Tuesday are completely full, I'm afraid | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the receptionist offering openings for Wednesday while saying that the practice has no more time available on Monday or Tuesday. Answer Explanation: The answer means the patient is able to schedule his visit to the dentist on Wednesday. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the receptionist clearly states that there is space in the schedule on Wednesday, the 16th. She uses the words "free slots" to mean available times for an appointment. She also explains that Monday and Tuesday are "completely full," which means there is no room for him on those days. |
| Q2 | B | One of the dentists is away on holiday, so we're a little short-staffed | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that because one dentist is on vacation, the office has fewer staff members working at the moment. Answer Explanation: The answer means that the dental office does not have as many dentists working right now as they usually do. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because the receptionist mentions that one of the dentists is away on vacation. As a result, the office is 'short-staffed', which is another way of saying they have fewer employees or dentists available to help patients this week. This explains why the patient cannot get an earlier appointment despite being in pain. |
| Q3 | A | Patient: OK, can you book me in at 3.30? Let me make a note of that. Oh, hang on. I can't make 3.30. I've got a meeting at 4.00 and I'll never get back in time. It'll have to be 1.30. Receptionist: Right, that's booked for you | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that the patient initially picks 3.30 but quickly changes his mind because of a meeting at 4.00. He finalizes the time as 1.30, and the receptionist confirms this appointment. Answer Explanation: The answer is the choice 1.30, which is the time of the patient's next visit to the dentist. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the patient goes through a process of choosing a time. First, the receptionist offers 1.30 and 3.30. The patient asks for 3.30, but then remembers he has a meeting at 4.00. He realizes that a 3.30 appointment would not give him enough time to finish and get to his meeting. To avoid this, he switches his choice to 1.30. The receptionist confirms the 1.30 slot is booked. |
| Q4 | 20 | Now, the extraction will be £90 and the X-ray is £20, so that's £110 altogether | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the receptionist giving the patient the total bill, where she lists the price of the X-ray as 20 pounds. Answer Explanation: The answer is the number 20, representing the cost in British pounds (£) for one X-ray. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 20 because the receptionist explicitly tells the patient the price of each part of his treatment. She mentions that the tooth extraction costs 90 pounds and the X-ray costs 20 pounds. Keywords to look for are 'X-ray' and '£20'. |
| Q5 | 24 / twenty-four | Just to let you know, we need at least 24 hours notice if you have to cancel, otherwise there's a £10 fee | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the receptionist explaining the rule for missing an appointment: they need a warning 24 hours in advance or the patient must pay 10 pounds. Answer Explanation: The answer is the number of hours a patient must tell the dental office before their appointment if they want to cancel without being charged a fine. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 24 because the receptionist clearly states that the dental office requires a minimum of 24 hours notice if an appointment needs to be cancelled. If the patient fails to give this much notice, they are required to pay a fee of £10. Keywords to notice here are 'notice', 'cancel', and 'fee'. |
| Q6 | Sinclair | Receptionist: Sinclair Dental Surgeons. That's S-I-N-C-L-A-I-R | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the receptionist saying the full name of the office and spelling the first word clearly for the patient. Answer Explanation: The answer is the name of the dental clinic that should be written on the check. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is Sinclair because the receptionist tells the patient the exact name to write on the cheque (check) to pay for his treatment. She says "Sinclair Dental Surgeons" and even spells it out (S-I-N-C-L-A-I-R) so the patient makes no mistakes. |
| Q7 | year | They pay up to £650 a year for dental treatment and you can add your wife and children to the plan whenever you want with their family cover plan | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that the insurance company will give the patient as much as £650 for their dental care during one year. Answer Explanation: The answer means the insurance company pays for dental care up to a total of £650 every twelve months. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'year' because the receptionist explains specifically how much money the insurance company provides for dental work. She says the limit is £650 'a year', which means the same thing as 'every year'. |
| Q8 | family | you can add your wife and children to the plan whenever you want with their family cover plan. This gives you a generous discount compared to individual plans | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that by adding a spouse and children to the insurance using a 'family' option, the customer gets a larger discount than they would with a plan for a single person. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'family', which refers to a group of related people living together, such as a husband, wife, and their children. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'family' because the receptionist explains that the dental insurance includes a 'family cover plan.' This plan allows the patient to include his wife and children and provides a 'generous discount' (a big price reduction) compared to buying plans for each person one by one. |
| Q9 | monthly / every month | And they offer interest-free monthly payments too | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the insurance company allows people to make a payment every month without having to pay extra money (interest). Answer Explanation: The answer means that people can pay for the insurance once every month. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'monthly' or 'every month' because the receptionist mentions that the company offers 'interest-free monthly payments'. The word 'monthly' describes how often the payment is made, and 'interest-free' is another way of saying 'no interest is charged'. |
| Q10 | membership | Any treatment you have after your membership starts will be covered | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript states that if a person gets dental help after they become a member, the insurance will pay the costs. Answer Explanation: The answer 'membership' means that the insurance protection begins as soon as you join the group or plan. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'membership' because the receptionist explicitly mentions that any dental work done after the person's membership starts will be paid for by the insurance company. In this context, 'membership' refers to the active status of being in the insurance plan, which aligns with the phrase 'Cover begins' in the notes. |
Transcript
Receptionist: Hello, Mr Budley. Is that your treatment finished for today?
Patient: Yes. I've just had the X-ray for now. The dentist asked me to make another appointment to have one out and then to get my teeth cleaned.
Receptionist: OK, let's have a look at what's available. I've got a couple of free slots next week on the 16th. That's the Wednesday. Monday and Tuesday are completely full, I'm afraid.
Patient: Isn't there anything sooner than that? I'm in a lot of pain. Nothing this week?
Receptionist: I'm afraid not. We're very busy this week. One of the dentists is away on holiday, so we're a little short-staffed. If someone cancels, I'll give you a call, but for the time being shall I book you in for the 16th? We have a free slot at 1.30 and another one at 3.30.
Patient: OK, can you book me in at 3.30? Let me make a note of that. Oh, hang on. I can't make 3.30. I've got a meeting at 4.00 and I'll never get back in time. It'll have to be 1.30.
Receptionist: Right, that's booked for you. Now, the extraction will be £90 and the X-ray is £20, so that's £110 altogether. How would you like to pay? Cash or cheque? I'm afraid we don't take cards.
Patient: I'll pay by cheque, thanks. If it's OK, I'll pay for the X-ray now and the rest at my next appointment, just in case I have to cancel for any reason.
Receptionist: That'll be fine. Just to let you know, we need at least 24 hours notice if you have to cancel, otherwise there's a £10 fee.
Patient: So, the cheque. Who shall I make it payable to?
Receptionist: Sinclair Dental Surgeons. That's S-I-N-C-L-A-I-R.
Patient: While I'm here, I was wondering whether you had any information about dental insurance. I think my teeth are beginning to show signs of age and I might need a lot more treatment.
Receptionist: Er, there's a company we work with ... Here's one of their leaflets. Their prices are very competitive and the cover they offer is similar to that of most other companies. They pay up to £650 a year for dental treatment and you can add your wife and children to the plan whenever you want with their family cover plan. This gives you a generous discount compared to individual plans.
Patient: Thanks. It looks interesting.
Receptionist: And they offer interest-free monthly payments too. Er, there's a telephone number you can call for more information.
Patient: Thanks. I'll take it home and have a closer read. Will I be able to claim for the treatment I'm having now?
Receptionist: Any treatment you have after your membership starts will be covered. So if you're quick, you might get the cost of work next week covered.
Patient: Thanks again. Well, I'll see you next week then.