Energy-Saving Tips - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Collins Practice Tests For IELTS 2 Academic Listening Test 4 · Part 2 · Questions 11–20
Audio
Questions
Questions 11–12 Multiple Choice (One Answer)
Choose the correct letter, A, B or C.
Questions 13–20 Note Completion
Complete the notes below.
Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS or A NUMBER for each answer.
Energy-saving tips
Living in 13 accommodation? Check windows and doors for draughts.
Don't leave laptops and TVs on 14 overnight.
Don't use 15 than you need when making hot drinks.
Put 16 on pots and pans when boiling water.
Where possible, avoid placing the refrigerator next to the 17.
Remember to turn down the fridge temperature control in the 18.
Don't forget to 19 the freezer and don't put too much food in it.
Reduce the temperature of your washing machine to 20 degrees.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q11 | A | And though they're growing in popularity, having solar panels installed on the roof isn't a cheap enough option for many of us to consider seriously | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that even though solar panels are becoming more common, the cost is still too high for many people to think about buying them. Answer Explanation: The answer means that solar panels cost a lot of money to buy and use at home. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because the speaker mentions that solar panels are not a 'cheap enough option' for many people. In English, if something is not cheap enough, it means it is too expensive for a person to pay for. Although the speaker says solar panels are becoming popular, the high price is the main reason many people do not use them. |
| Q12 | C | Well, most people will make a point of turning the heating down when temperatures outside rise but they ignore other equally useful ways of saving energy when they're making dinner | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that though people turn down the heat when it is warm, they do not think about helpful ways to keep energy costs low when they are preparing food in the kitchen. Answer Explanation: The answer means that many people do not use their kitchen tools or habits in a way that saves power. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because the speaker explains that even though people remember to turn down the heat, they often 'ignore' (do not pay attention to) other ways to save energy, especially when 'making dinner' or cooking. This means they are not being 'efficient' (saving money and energy) in the kitchen. The speaker then lists many kitchen mistakes, such as overfilling the kettle or not using lids on pots. |
| Q13 | older / old | But for those of us in older properties, the chances are there are gaps all over the place where cold air is getting in. Walk around your home and place the back of your hand around window frames. Can you feel cold air coming in from outside? Get down on your knees at the doors. Is there a draught at floor level | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that old houses often have holes that let cold air inside. It tells people to touch the edges of windows and doors to see if they can feel a cold wind. Answer Explanation: The answer means that if your home was built a long time ago (an old house or apartment), you should check for cold air leaks around your windows and doors. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is based on the speaker's advice for people living in homes that are not new. The speaker explains that while new buildings are usually warm, 'older properties' (old accommodation) often have small holes or 'gaps' where 'cold air is getting in.' They suggest checking the 'window frames' and 'doors' to find these 'draughts' (moving cold air) to save money on heating. |
| Q14 | standby | Then there's the laptop or your TV. Do you leave them switched on overnight or on standby? Don't waste money, turn them off | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript asks if people keep their laptops or TVs switched on or in 'standby' mode while they sleep. It says that people should turn the machines off so they do not waste money. Answer Explanation: The answer 'standby' is a special mode on machines like a TV or computer. The machine looks like it is off, but it is ready to turn on quickly and still uses a little electricity. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'standby' because the speaker asks if people leave their electronics in this 'waiting' mode all night long. The speaker suggests that this is a waste of money and tells the listeners to turn these machines off instead to save energy. |
| Q15 | more water | Why boil more water than you actually need | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript asks why someone would heat up an extra amount of water that is not going to be used, suggesting it is a better idea to only boil the exact amount you need. Answer Explanation: The answer "more water" means you should only use the specific amount of water required to make your drink, rather than filling the kettle too much. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is based on the section of the talk where the speaker gives advice for saving energy in the kitchen. The speaker uses the example of making a cup of tea and suggests that filling the kettle with more water than necessary is a waste of electricity. The speaker's phrase directly matches the sentence structure in the notes. |
| Q16 | a lid / lids | And the next time you're cooking pasta or potatoes, keep a lid on the pot | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that when you are boiling water for food like pasta, you should keep the pot covered so the water boils more quickly. Answer Explanation: The answer means you should cover the pots or pans with a top cover while you are boiling water. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is "a lid on" or "lids on" because the speaker explains that covering your cooking pots makes the water boil much faster. This simple action helps save energy while making dinner. Keywords like "cooking," "water," and "boil" in the transcript point to this specific tip. |
| Q17 | cooker | If the fridge is next to the cooker, it's having to work harder to stay cold | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that when a fridge is beside a cooker, it must work much harder to maintain its cold temperature. Answer Explanation: The answer is a kitchen machine used for heating and cooking food. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'cooker' because the speaker mentions that a refrigerator (fridge) has to use more energy to stay cold if it is placed right next to this appliance. To save money and energy, it is better not to have them side-by-side. Keywords to notice are 'next to' and 'cooker'. |
| Q18 | colder winter months / winter months / colder winter / winter | Keep an eye on the temperature control. We often forget to turn it down in the colder winter months when a high setting is unnecessary | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that you should watch the fridge's temperature dial and lower it during the cold months of winter because a strong cooling setting is not required then. Answer Explanation: The answer identifies the specific time of year when you should lower the temperature setting on your refrigerator. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is supported by the speaker's advice regarding the refrigerator. They mention that when the weather gets cold outside, a high cooling setting inside the fridge is not needed, so you should lower it. They specifically name the 'colder winter months' as the time when people often forget to do this. Synonyms like 'turn it down' align with the note's requirement to 'turn down the fridge temperature control'. |
| Q19 | defrost | Also, remember to defrost the freezer frequently and try not to overfill it as this isn't the most efficient way of using it | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that you should regularly remove ice from the freezer and avoid putting too many things inside so the machine works in the best way. Answer Explanation: The answer means to remove the ice that builds up inside a freezer. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'defrost' because the speaker explicitly tells the audience to complete this action to keep the appliance working well. In the transcript, the speaker uses the phrase 'remember to defrost the freezer,' which matches the note 'Don't forget to defrost the freezer' as 'remember' and 'don't forget' have the same meaning. The text also mentions not overfilling it, which matches the second part of the note. |
| Q20 | thirty / 30 | A lot of people wash at 40°C but it's often OK to drop the temperature down to 30°C, with similar results | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that though many people use a higher heat (40°C), you can use a lower heat (30°C) and still get your clothes clean. Answer Explanation: The answer means you should set your washing machine to 30 degrees to save money and energy. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'thirty' or '30' because the speaker mentions that wash results are still good even if you lower the heat. While many people use 40 degrees, the speaker suggests reducing it to save money. Keywords like "drop the temperature" lead directly to the specific number mentioned. |
Transcript
Speaker:
Many thanks for inviting me along to talk about saving energy in the home. This is a key issue for many people who now find themselves on tight budgets. So today I'd like to spend a few minutes going through some simple tips to help keep those energy bills to a minimum. I'll start with some easy, cheap ideas before talking about more major solutions later.
I think we're all aware of the importance of insulating our homes, and although I'd advise you to get it done, I appreciate it can sometimes be inconvenient to have building work carried out. And though they're growing in popularity, having solar panels installed on the roof isn't a cheap enough option for many of us to consider seriously. So what other steps can we take? Well, most people will make a point of turning the heating down when temperatures outside rise but they ignore other equally useful ways of saving energy when they're making dinner or doing their weekly laundry.
If you're living in a relatively new apartment or house, you're probably blessed with a cosy, draught-free living space. But for those of us in older properties, the chances are there are gaps all over the place where cold air is getting in. Walk around your home and place the back of your hand around window frames. Can you feel cold air coming in from outside? Get down on your knees at the doors. Is there a draught at floor level? Fix these draughts with some cheap draught excluders and savings in heating bills will begin straight away.
And are you using the latest energy-saving light bulbs? I'm not recommending you go around your entire property throwing out older ones and replacing them all immediately. But next time a bulb goes, make sure you buy an energy-efficient alternative. And what about heating? If you have radiators in every room, do you need them all switched on throughout the day? If they're on timers, set them efficiently. Then there's the laptop or your TV. Do you leave them switched on overnight or on standby? Don't waste money, turn them off. And that goes for lights as well. You'd be surprised how many people leave them on when they go out.
There are also guaranteed savings to be made in the kitchen. I'm always telling my husband not to overfill the kettle when he makes a cup of tea. Why boil more water than you actually need? When you consider how many times that kettle gets used every day, you'll appreciate just how much electricity can be saved by boiling what you need and no more. And the next time you're cooking pasta or potatoes, keep a lid on the pot. The water will boil much more quickly than if you leave it off. And if you've bought yourself a pressure cooker or steamer and it's sitting in the cupboard never being used, get it out - they're much more efficient than pots and pans.
Now, the refrigerator and freezer. If the fridge is next to the cooker, it's having to work harder to stay cold. But as I'm giving cheap, easy solutions here, a kitchen redesign might be out of the question. Still, there are other energy-saving steps you can take. Keep an eye on the temperature control. We often forget to turn it down in the colder winter months when a high setting is unnecessary. Also, remember to defrost the freezer frequently and try not to overfill it as this isn't the most efficient way of using it.
The washing machine is another potential money saver. A lot of people wash at 40°C but it's often OK to drop the temperature down to 30°C, with similar results. And remember to either wash full loads or select the half-load programme; again, a surprising number of people forget to do this. And is it really necessary to dry your clothes in a tumble drier? If you have a garden or a yard, hang them outside. Or if you're drying them inside, get yourself a cheap clothes rail rather than hanging things over radiators, which robs you of valuable heat.
Now let's turn to some of the help our local council is offering to householders to save energy ...