Dreamtime Travel Agency - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Cambridge IELTS 05 Academic Listening Test 1 · Part 1 · Questions 1–10
Audio
Questions
Questions 1–4 Note Completion
Complete the notes below.
Write NO MORE THAN TWO WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
Dreamtime travel agency
Tour information
| Holiday length | 2 days |
| Type of transportation | 1 |
| Maximum group size | 2 |
| Next tour date | 3 |
| Hotel name | The 4 |
Questions 5–6 Two Choices
Choose TWO letters A–E.
Questions 7–10 Sentence Completion
Complete the sentences below.
Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS AND/OR A NUMBER for each answer.
- The tour costs $ 7 .
- Bookings must be made no later than 8 days in advance.
- A 9 deposit is required.
- The customer's reference number is 10 .
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 | minibus / by minibus / a minibus | RECEPTIONIST: Actually it's by minibus. We like to keep those tours small and personal so we don't take a whole coachload of people | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the receptionist saying that they use a minibus because they want to keep the tour group small rather than using a large coach. Answer Explanation: The answer means the trip uses a small bus, known as a minibus, for travel. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is minibus because the receptionist corrected the customer. While the customer asked about using a coach (a large bus), the receptionist explained that they use a minibus instead. This choice is made to ensure the tour feels personal and small. Keywords include "by minibus" and "small". |
| Q2 | 15 / 15 people | In fact, we only take up to fifteen people on this tour, although we do run it with just twelve or thirteen | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that the tour group can have as many as fifteen people, but sometimes they go with fewer people, like twelve or thirteen. Answer Explanation: The answer is 15 or 15 people. This is the highest number of travelers allowed in the group for the trip. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 15 because the receptionist says they only take up to fifteen people on this tour. The words 'up to' mean that fifteen is the maximum limit for the group size. |
| Q3 | April the 18th / April 18th / 18th of April / 18th April / 18 April / April 18 | Mmm, let me see. Um, there's one in three weeks' time which is April the 18th, and then we don't have another one until June the 2nd | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the worker checking the schedule and finding that the earliest tour is on April 18th. Answer Explanation: The answer is the date of the very next trip, which is April 18th. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is determined by the receptionist's response to the customer's question about when the next tour is leaving. The receptionist identifies the closest date as April 18th. Keywords to notice are 'next one' (the upcoming tour) and 'there's one in... which is' (describing the date of that tour). |
| Q4 | Pallisades | It's called The Pallisades.CUSTOMER: The Paris what?RECEPTIONIST: No, it's actually The Pallisades, P-A-L-L-I-S-A-D-E-S | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the travel worker telling the traveler the name of the hotel and spelling it out so the traveler knows exactly which letters to write. Answer Explanation: The answer is the name of the hotel where travelers will stay during their whale-watching trip. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is Pallisades because the receptionist directly names the hotel while describing the trip's great facilities. To make sure there is no confusion after the customer mishears the name as 'Paris', the receptionist repeats it and spells it out letter by letter: P-A-L-L-I-S-A-D-E-S. |
| Q5 | — | — | |
| Q6 | B / D | your guide will take anyone who is interested either on a bushwalk through the national park near the hotel, and there's no extra charge for that But there are table tennis tables downstairs and they're part of the accommodation package |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that the walk with a guide through the park is free because there is no extra cost. It also shows that table tennis is already paid for as part of the hotel stay, which is included in the holiday price. Answer Explanation: The answer is the guided bushwalk and table tennis. These two activities do not cost any extra money because they are already part of the travel price. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B and D because the receptionist explains which activities are free and which ones cost more. She mentions that the guided bushwalk has 'no extra charge,' meaning it is free. She also says that table tennis is 'part of the accommodation package,' which means it is included in the price of the hotel stay. Other options like the fishing trip and the reptile park cost extra money, and tennis courts must be paid for by the hour. |
| Q7 | 280 | Er oh, it's actually $280 |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the worker at the travel agency finding and saying the real price of the tour, which is 280 dollars. Answer Explanation: The answer means the cost of the holiday trip is 280 dollars. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 280 because the receptionist at the travel agency gives this specific amount when she checks the price. Although she says the price is usually around $300, she corrects herself and says the actual price is $280. In English, when someone says 'actually', they are giving the real or correct information compared to a guess. |
| Q8 | 14 | Can I just mention that we require all bookings to be made at least fourteen days before you travel to avoid cancellations of tours | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the travel agent explaining that customers need to book their tour 14 days before the start date. Answer Explanation: The answer means you must book your trip at least two weeks before you leave. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 14 because the receptionist tells the customer the rule for booking. She says that people must finish their booking "at least fourteen days before" they travel. This matches the phrase "no later than 14 days in advance" from the question. The number 14 is the specific time limit mentioned for making a booking. |
| Q9 | 20 % / 20 percent | And you also need to pay a 20% deposit at the time of booking | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the receptionist explaining the payment rules, saying that the customer has to pay 20% of the money right away at the same time they make their reservation. Answer Explanation: The answer 20% is the portion of the total cost that the customer has to pay right away to reserve their spot on the tour. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 20% because the receptionist clearly mentions this specific percentage when talking about the 'deposit' needed during the booking process. Keywords like 'pay' and 'deposit' help identify this value as the required amount. |
| Q10 | 39745T | OK, it's three nine seven, four five, T. That's T for tango | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows the worker clearly stating the numbers (3, 9, 7, 4, 5) and the letter (T) that make up the customer's reference code. Answer Explanation: The answer is the identification code "39745T" that the travel agency gives to the customer. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 39745T because the receptionist provides this specific combination of numbers and a letter as a "customer reference number." This number is used so the agency can find the customer's information easily when they call back to confirm their booking. |
Transcript
RECEPTIONIST: Good afternoon, Dreamtime Travel. How can I help you?
CUSTOMER: Oh hello. I'm interested in the holidays you offer along the coast near here.
RECEPTIONIST: Yes. We operate several tours up the coast. Where in particular did you want to go?
CUSTOMER: Well, I like the sound of the holiday that mentioned whales. Was it 'Whale Watching'?
RECEPTIONIST: Oh, that's our Whale Watch Experience. It's very popular and it's based in a lovely little town with nice beaches.
CUSTOMER: Oh right, and how long does it last?
RECEPTIONIST: It's two days – that includes four hours' travel time each way from here.
CUSTOMER: Good, I don't want to be away any longer than that. So is that by coach?
RECEPTIONIST: Actually it's by minibus. We like to keep those tours small and personal so we don't take a whole coachload of people. In fact, we only take up to fifteen people on this tour, although we do run it with just twelve or thirteen.
CUSTOMER: Oh, right. So do you run these tours often?
RECEPTIONIST: Well it depends on the time of year. Of course in peak times like the summer holidays we do them every weekend, but at the moment it's usually once a month at most.
CUSTOMER: And when is the next one going?
RECEPTIONIST: Mmm, let me see. Um, there's one in three weeks' time which is April the 18th, and then we don't have another one until June the 2nd.
CUSTOMER: All right, and is April a good time to go?
RECEPTIONIST: Pretty good. Though the really good time is later in the year. I have to say though that the whale sighting is only one of the many things offered.
CUSTOMER: Really?
RECEPTIONIST: Yes. The hotel itself where you stay has great facilities. It's called The Pallisades.
CUSTOMER: The Paris what?
RECEPTIONIST: No, it's actually The Pallisades, P-A-L-L-I-S-A-D-E-S. It's right on the main beach there.
CUSTOMER: Oh, I see.
RECEPTIONIST: All of the rooms have nice views and the food is really good there too.
CUSTOMER: Oh right.
CUSTOMER: And what about the other things? You know, that are included in the price.
RECEPTIONIST: Oh, there are lots of things. If you don't want to do the whale watch cruise, your guide will take anyone who is interested either on a bushwalk through the national park near the hotel, and there's no extra charge for that, or on a fishing trip. That's an extra $12 I think. And there's also a reptile park in town – that costs more or less the same.
CUSTOMER: No, I think I'd prefer whales to snakes.
RECEPTIONIST: Yeah. And if you just want to relax you are free to sit by the hotel pool or go down the beach. Oh, and they also have tennis courts at the hotel, but you have to pay for those by the hour. But there are table tennis tables downstairs and they're part of the accommodation package. Just speak to your guide.
CUSTOMER: Well that sounds good. So how much is the basic tour price?
RECEPTIONIST: At this time of year it's usually around $300 but let me check. Er...oh, it's actually $280.
CUSTOMER: And the next tour, are there any places on that one?
RECEPTIONIST: How many people is it for?
CUSTOMER: There are two of us.
RECEPTIONIST: Yes, that should be fine. Can I just mention that we require all bookings to be made at least fourteen days before you travel to avoid cancellations of tours. And if you cancel within seven days of departure you will have to pay 50% of your total booking.
CUSTOMER: OK.
RECEPTIONIST: And you also need to pay a 20% deposit at the time of booking.
CUSTOMER: Can I pay that by credit card?
RECEPTIONIST: Yes, you can.
CUSTOMER: All right, what I'll do is I'll talk to my partner and get back to you.
RECEPTIONIST: Fine. So I'll make a provisional booking, shall I? – two for the Whale Watch Experience. Let me issue you with a customer reference number for when you call back. Do you have a pen?
CUSTOMER: Yes.
RECEPTIONIST: OK, it's three nine seven, four five, T. That's T for tango. When you call back, ask to speak to the Tour Manager, that's me, Tracy.
CUSTOMER: Fine, I will.